England captain Ben Stokes says his dressing room is “not a place for weak men” after two heavy Ashes losses to Australia
BRISBANE: England captain Ben Stokes has demanded his players toughen up after another heavy defeat left their Ashes hopes hanging by a thread.
Stokes made clear the team environment is “not a place for weak men” following eight-wicket losses in both Perth and Brisbane.
“There is a saying that we have said a lot here — Australia is not for weak men,” Stokes told the BBC.
“A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either.”
He was critical of England crumbling in key pressure moments compared to Australia.
“Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?” Stokes asked.
“When we are on top we are great and when behind the game we are also very good but when that moment is neck and neck we are not coming out on top on enough occasions.”
Australian media headlines labelled England “Humiliated” and “Humbled” while referencing the failed ‘Bazball’ approach.
Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott was scathing in his assessment of the Brisbane performance.
“Brisbane was a horror show: irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full and catches dropped,” he wrote.
“With this sort of batting and bowling, they couldn’t win an egg cup, let alone the Ashes urn.”
England have over a week to regroup before the must-win third Test in Adelaide on December 17.
The team’s scheduled four-day break at Noosa beach after two heavy defeats has drawn scrutiny.
Stokes defended the decision, saying it was vital for mental recovery after an intense four weeks.
“As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it,” he told reporters.
“Trust me when I say it is so, so important for teams to be able to go away as a team and almost put the pressures aside for a couple of days.”
Coach Brendon McCullum added to the controversy by suggesting England “over-prepared” for the Brisbane Test.
“I actually feel like we over-prepared to be honest,” McCullum said.
“I think the boys just need a few days off and we probably need to change up a few of the training methods.”
Former England player Kevin Pietersen responded on social media: “Leading into this Test match, I think we over-prepared. Crikey, Baz.” – AFP
