England’s cricketers reached a turning point today in the first Eng-Australian Test cricket match of the 2023 Ashes series – down 0-2 after two Tests. Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum assert that the team’s struggles stem not from a lack of skill but from insufficient mental fortitude and application to the game. As the team prepares for the upcoming Adelaide Test, both leaders emphasize the need for resilience and a more robust response to pressure.
Upon returning home, celebrating your renaissance Overall, throughout the series, England has shown well-timed bursts of quality. On day four of the Brisbane Test, Stokes and debutant Will Jacks showcased what Stokes described as “honest to god Test match batting.” Gus Atkinson’s pace battery provided an explosive beginning, setting fires of hope ablaze in England supporters’ hearts. At the same time, the ferocity of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood on day one was frankly thrilling, too. These positive moments have all been overshadowed by England’s complete lack of composure in crucial periods of play.
Stokes articulated the necessity for his team to turn the series around, acknowledging, “They say Australia isn’t a place for weak men. We’re definitely not weak but we need to find something because we’re 2-0 down we’ve got three games to go. We need to sort it.” He emphasised again that mental strength is going to be the biggest thing when putting up with the pressure cooker environment of an Ashes series.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum certainly agreed with this notion, calling England’s over-confidence “over-cooked” in the run-up to the first Test in Brisbane. He cautioned against succumbing to negativity, stating, “I will stress that the message from the captain and the message from myself is you can’t come to this country and start sulking and feeling sorry for yourself when things haven’t worked out.”
The coach further explained the importance of absorbing pressure, saying, “You can’t have a glass jaw when you tour Australia. You’ve got to stand up and you’ve got to go again.” He encouraged his players to confront challenges head-on, adding: “You’ve got to wear a few [punches] on the way in and you’ve got to head towards the target, and that’s our job over the coming days.”
Even as England floundered, Stokes refused to abandon their hard-charging, freewheeling playing style, dubbed “Bazball,” after head coach Brendon McCullum’s nickname. This style of attack is meant not just to out muscle the other side, but be able to absorb that pressure too. “As long as you are able to get your team to stay tight and keep pressing on with the style of play you want, and be able to handle situations, [you] give yourself the best chance,” he remarked.
And with three matches still left in the series, Stokes and McCullum won’t let that belief die. They acknowledge that their team has been guilty of faltering under pressure, with Stokes noting, “It just seems to be a constant theme at the moment. When the game is in a pressure moment Australia keep outdoing us.”
After a week off, England is looking forward to the third Test in Adelaide. No doubt both leaders are looking for a much better performance from their players. Stokes emphasized the need for his team to reflect deeply on their performances, stating, “We need to think a bit harder and deeper about those moments and what we’re taking mentally into those and show a little bit more fight when it’s needed.”
England’s Ashes tour now hinges on whether they can rally from adversity. They have to live up to the combative culture they profess to want. Stokes and McCullum now prepare for the challenge ahead. Their eyes are still set on cultivating resilience in the team.
