Ben Stokes Reveals Emotional Toll of Being 3-0 Down in the Ashes

Ben Stokes has tried his best to lead England from the front, claiming nine wickets and scoring 165 runs across six innings during the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes.

Ben Stokes Reveals Emotional Toll of Being 3-0 Down in the Ashes

Ben Stokes exclaimed that the 2025-26 Ashes has been the 'toughest' phase of his captaincy career. (via Indian Express)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

England red-ball captain Ben Stokes has faced relentless scrutiny throughout the Ashes, particularly following a crushing third consecutive loss in Adelaide. Reflecting on the series deficit, Stokes described it as the ‘toughest’ chapter of his tenure as skipper.

England currently trails 0-3 against Australia, with the world no.1-ranked Test team having retained the Ashes Urn for a fourth straight time. The visitors dropped the opening Test in Perth by a frustrating margin of eight wickets. England then endured a collapse in Brisbane, where they fell by eight wickets once more, before meeting a similar result in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, losing by 82 runs.

England’s recent struggles have left them in a dismal seventh place in the WTC standings. Having won just two out of their last eight red-ball matches, the team has been seemingly eliminated from contention for a place in the WTC final in 2027. This failure has placed both Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum under heavy fire, as their signature ‘Baz-Ball’ philosophy has failed to deliver results.

Off the field, the team has also been embroiled in controversy after social media clips surfaced showing Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell appearing highly intoxicated at the Noosa holiday resort. Videos allegedly captured the England players partying excessively during a mid-series retreat, triggering an investigation by the ECB. The scandal has only intensified the burden on captain Ben Stokes, who recently expressed the significant emotional strain of the ongoing criticism in an interview with SEN Cricket.

The veteran English all-rounder, who was appointed England’s Test captain in 2022, exclaimed that the period has been the ‘toughest’ for him as a leader. Stokes noted how the team has been rightly criticized by fans and pundits alike, for his dismal showing.

The 34-year-old further added about how he has struggled after going 0-3 down in the Ashes, but highlighted his continued support for his players in making a comeback. He told BBC Sport:

This is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I’ll have. I’m not going to run away from it. I feel like I will lead for the rest of this trip how I think I can help guys get through it.

England is set to face Australia in the final two Ashes Tests, beginning with the Boxing Day encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Reversing their slump will be a monumental task for the visitors, who have endured a 15-year winless drought in Australian Test matches.

England confirm playing XI for Melbourne Test as Ben Stokes fights to save reputation

England named its playing XI for the fourth Test of the 2025-26 Ashes, to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It will be skipper Ben Stokes and his side’s final attempt at saving their reputation in red-ball cricket, as well as for Brendon McCullum to show that his strategy works out. 

Ben Stokes England playing XI
England announced its playing XI for the fourth Test, led by captain Ben Stokes. (via Guardian)

Already having lost the series after going 0-3 down in Adelaide, England have fielded a changed playing XI for the fourth Test. Ace pacer Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the remaining matches due to a side strain. Gus Atkinson has been included in the XI as his replacement, while Ollie Pope is the other big change. Pope has been left out of the team, with all-rounder Jacob Bethell being included instead. 

Pope’s exclusion comes on the back of a series of low scores. In six innings, he only managed 125 runs at a poor average of 20.83. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will retain their position as openers, with Bethell being slotted at no. 3. Joe Root, Harry Brook, captain Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith and Will Jacks complete the batting order, while Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue are the three pacers. 

Meanwhile, Australia will also be fielding a changed playing XI for the fourth Test, with captain Pat Cummins opting out. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, resulting in Todd Murphy being called up for the Melbourne Test.

Also Read: