Ben Stokes: England don’t need ‘big change’ after Ashes disappointment

After England It showed the ash evaluation results. In March, Stokes posted an emotional message to fans on social media.

“I love being England captain and I have a lot to offer in this role,” Stokes wrote on Instagram.

Asked on Wednesday whether he thought his team needed to rebuild its relationship with the fans, Stokes said: “I never thought there was an issue with our relationship with the fans. We know that losing cricket matches hurts us.

“It hurts to see a team that you’ve supported and given a lot of time to go out there and lose, especially the way we did. It hurts to be involved as a player.

“I’m not sure what needs to be fixed, because we absolutely love everyone who supports English cricket and we always feel that support.

“We still go there to make people feel happy that they’re supporting a team that knows what they’re trying to do.”

Tuesday England have reduced their starting 15 players to 12 players.. With more rain forecast at Lord’s and the Test on a wet Wednesday, Stokes refused to finalize his XI.

When the 12 were named, head coach McCullum indicated that Shoaib Bashir, who is out of the tournament, will have a place in the team, but Stokes said that the plan could change if the bowling is significantly delayed and the game is shortened.

Stokes has revealed that Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson will be in line to take the new ball, meaning the unarmed Sonny Baker will be the man to lose if England opt for Basher.

Robinson will make his Test debut in more than two years after being dropped by England following the tour of India in early 2024.

The 32-year-old has a good record in Test cricket, averaging under 23 in his 20 matches.

But England are frustrated by his fitness record – Robinson has suffered a back injury that has limited his participation in each of the last two Tests: in Ranchi, India, and against Australia at Headingley in 2023.

“Strike-wise, I hope he’s the same bowler,” Stokes said. “We’ve spoken to Ollie and he knows the reason he’s found himself back here is because he’s done what we want to see from him and told him.

“For him, the easy part was getting back in, because he’s always been good. Now he’s here, he’s going to stay here as long as he can.

“When he’s away from the team, as disappointing as it is for him, we’ll see Ollie Robinson in an England shirt for the next four, five, six years because he’s such a good bowler.”