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Stokes questions England's mentality after Brisbane collapse
England captain Ben Stokes has challenged his team's resilience after a second straight Ashes defeat left them 2-0 down in the five-Test series. Australia cruised to an eight-wicket victory in Brisbane, prompting Stokes to question why his side falters in critical moments.
'Not a place for weak men'
Stokes delivered a blunt assessment of England's struggles under pressure, telling BBC Test Match Special: "A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either." The remark echoed his earlier warning that Australia "is not for weak men."
While Stokes clarified his players are not "weak," former England captain Michael Vaughan urged the squad to brace for tougher scrutiny. "Ben Stokes will never ever give up, and he thinks he wants that from his team," Vaughan said on the BBC Daily Ashes Debrief.
Pressure moments expose England's flaws
Stokes highlighted a recurring pattern of failing to seize control when matches hang in the balance. "When the game is in a moment of neither here nor there, Australia have managed to get through those periods and outdo us," he said.
Recent collapses underscore the issue:
- At The Oval, England fell six runs short chasing 374 against India, despite having seven wickets in hand with Harry Brook and Joe Root at the crease.
- In Perth, England lost five wickets for 38 runs after reaching 105-1 in their second innings, surrendering an eight-wicket defeat.
- In Brisbane, Mitchell Starc dismissed Brook second ball after England had built a promising 176-3. Later, dropped catches and a 27.3-over partnership between Starc and Scott Boland compounded England's woes.
Defensive lapses and tactical missteps
England's second innings in Brisbane epitomized their fragility. After reducing the deficit to 87 at 90-1, they collapsed to 128-6, with Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley both caught driving. Stokes top-scored with a 152-ball 50, but the tail folded for 17 runs.
Coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged England's preparation may have backfired, telling BBC Test Match Special: "Sometimes there is a tendency to overdo things. If anything, we trained too much." He added that the team was "slow to adapt" to Gabba conditions, citing deficiencies in batting, bowling, and fielding.
Break in Noosa amid scrutiny
England will retreat to the resort town of Noosa for a four-day break before the third Test in Adelaide, which starts on December 17. Stokes defended the pre-planned trip, emphasizing the need to "put the pressures aside" and recharge mentally.
"I know what the game can do to you when it's not feeling right. Trust me when I say it is so important for teams to go away and almost put the pressures aside for a couple of days."
Ben Stokes
The squad will fly to Adelaide on December 13 and resume training ahead of the day-night Test.
Can England still win the Ashes?
Stokes insisted the series remains winnable, pointing to England's 2-2 draw from a 2-0 deficit in the 2023 Ashes. However, McCullum stressed the need for "seizing every opportunity" in Australia, where England's recent record is dire.
The third Test begins at Adelaide Oval at 23:30 GMT on December 16 (10:30 local time on December 17).
