### England's Ashes Preparation Under Scrutiny: Ben Stokes Defends Team's Approach As the England cricket team gears up for the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth on November 21, captain Ben Stokes has publicly defended the team's decision to forgo warm-up matches. This choice comes as England seeks to end a 14-year winless streak in Australia, a challenge compounded by the fact that neither Stokes nor veteran player Joe Root has ever won a Test match on Australian soil. The current squad lacks any players from the victorious 2010-11 series, and recent Ashes series have seen Australia dominate with scores of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0 in their favor [https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/skipper-ben-stokes-defends-englands-preparation-for-the-ashes-series-in-australia.html][https://apnews.com/article/england-australia-ashes-cricket-stokes-db06c620856c33dec45d56dac980e45b]. ### Structure of England's Ashes Preparation Defense 1. **Lack of Warm-Up Matches**: Stokes has acknowledged the absence of warm-up games, attributing it to a packed schedule that limits preparation time [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ben-stokes-news-australia-vs-england-ashes-2025-26-first-test-perth/article70270036.ece]. 2. **Historical Context**: The current squad's inexperience in Australia is highlighted by the absence of players from the last successful series in 2010-11 [https://apnews.com/article/england-australia-ashes-cricket-stokes-db06c620856c33dec45d56dac980e45b]. 3. **Media Management**: Stokes plans to shield his less experienced players from the intense media scrutiny that accompanies an Ashes series [https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes-ben-stokes-to-protect-his-ashes-novices-c-20658870]. 4. **Confidence in Team Readiness**: Despite the criticisms, Stokes remains confident that the team is well-prepared to face Australia, emphasizing that modern cricket does not allow for the same preparation methods as in the past [https://www.mbtimes.com.au/sport/cricket/stokes-defends-ashes-prep-amid-jam-packed-schedule-c-20654823]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Recent Ashes Results**: Australia has dominated the last three Ashes series with scores of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0, indicating a significant challenge for England [https://apnews.com/article/england-australia-ashes-cricket-stokes-db06c620856c33dec45d56dac980e45b]. - **Team Composition**: The current England squad has no players from the last series win in Australia, highlighting a generational gap in experience [https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/skipper-ben-stokes-defends-englands-preparation-for-the-ashes-series-in-australia.html]. - **Media Strategy**: Stokes' approach to managing media pressure reflects a strategic decision to protect his players from external distractions [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/12/gutted-ben-stokes-warns-england-players-to-take-australian-media-frenzy-in-their-stride]. ### Conclusion: England's Ashes Challenge and Stokes' Leadership In summary, **Ben Stokes' defense of England's preparation for the Ashes series underscores a complex interplay of historical challenges, modern cricket demands, and strategic media management**. The key points are: 1. **Absence of Warm-Up Matches**: Stokes attributes this to a busy schedule, which he believes limits effective preparation. 2. **Historical Context**: The lack of experience in the current squad poses a significant hurdle, as they face a dominant Australian team. 3. **Media Management**: Stokes aims to protect his players from the intense scrutiny that typically accompanies the Ashes. 4. **Confidence in Readiness**: Despite the challenges, Stokes expresses confidence in his team's ability to compete effectively. As the series approaches, the effectiveness of Stokes' strategies will be put to the test against a formidable Australian side [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ben-stokes-news-australia-vs-england-ashes-2025-26-first-test-perth/article70270036.ece][https://www.india.com/sports/ashes-2025-england-skipper-ben-stokes-defends-his-teams-lack-of-preparation-says-team-will-8180447].