### Australia Prepares for Ashes: Focus on Ben Stokes as Key Threat As the highly anticipated Ashes series kicks off in Perth, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith has pinpointed England's Ben Stokes as the primary threat to their success. With regular captain Pat Cummins sidelined due to injury, Smith emphasizes the importance of containing Stokes, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the series. The Ashes, a historic cricket rivalry, is set to begin at Perth Stadium, and both teams are gearing up for a fierce competition [https://www.thehawk.in/news/sports/steve-smith-warns-australia-must-keep-stokes-quiet-as-ashes-begins-in-perth]. ### Key Segments of the Ashes Series Overview 1. **Leadership Dynamics**: - Steve Smith steps in as captain for the 41st time, highlighting the leadership challenges faced by Australia with Cummins absent [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/smith-wary-of-riling-up-england-ace-at-ashes]. 2. **Targeting Stokes**: - Smith's strategy revolves around neutralizing Stokes, who has been described as the "man to keep quiet" due to his significant impact on the game [https://www.cricketnmore.com/cricket-news/steve-smith-warns-australia-must-keep-stokes-quiet-as-ashes-begins-in-perth-182347]. 3. **England's Preparation**: - England's preparation has come under scrutiny, with only a single three-day warm-up match before the series. Stokes has dismissed criticisms, asserting confidence in his team's readiness [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/ashes_2025_26_australia_will_get_under_stokes_skin_but_he_can_answer_with_his_performances_says_andrew_strauss/s1_17728_43079443]. 4. **Psychological Warfare**: - Former England captain Andrew Strauss warns Stokes about Australia's tactics to provoke him, suggesting that mental resilience will be crucial for the England captain [https://www.oneturf.news/cricket-news/ashes-strauss-warns-england-captain-stokes-of-australias-attempt-to-get-under-his-skin]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Leadership Experience**: - Steve Smith has captained Australia 41 times, showcasing his extensive experience in high-pressure situations [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/smith-wary-of-riling-up-england-ace-at-ashes]. - **Stokes' Impact**: - Stokes is recognized for his game-changing abilities, making him a focal point for Australia's strategy [https://www.cricketnore.com/cricket-news/steve-smith-warns-australia-must-keep-stokes-quiet-as-ashes-begins-in-perth-182347]. - **England's Recent Performance**: - England has not won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010-11, facing a daunting 13-0 record in their last attempts [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/ashes_2025_26_australia_will_get_under_stokes_skin_but_he_can_answer_with_his_performances_says_andrew_strauss/s1_17728_43079443]. ### Conclusion: A Crucial Ashes Series Awaits In summary, the upcoming Ashes series is set to be a thrilling contest, with Australia focusing on neutralizing Ben Stokes as a key strategy. The leadership of Steve Smith will be pivotal in navigating the challenges posed by England, who are looking to break their losing streak in Australia. The series promises to be a test of both skill and mental fortitude, with the first Test commencing at Perth Stadium. 1. **Australia's Strategy**: Focus on containing Stokes. 2. **Leadership Challenges**: Smith's experience as a stand-in captain. 3. **England's Readiness**: Limited preparation raises questions. 4. **Psychological Tactics**: Australia's attempts to unsettle Stokes. The stage is set for an intense battle as both teams vie for supremacy in one of cricket's most storied rivalries [https://www.thehawk.in/news/sports/steve-smith-warns-australia-must-keep-stokes-quiet-as-ashes-begins-in-perth].