“We need flat, quick wickets.” Before the Ashes, England’s red-ball captain Ben Stokes states, “We want to go out there and score early.”

The forthcoming Ashes season between England and Australia will be a compelling series. The England skipper has intensified his preparations for the Test series as the series’ end draws nearer and the clock is ticking. Ben Stokes has made an intriguing step by communicating with the grounds workers at every location to provide directions on the types of pitches the hosts want to use against the Australians.

The 31-year-old also acknowledges that it might backfire because the foreign team’s pace battery is faster than the English side’s. Significantly, the English captain has requested fast and flat pitches with the hope that they will keep their “Bazball” strategy and score more quickly than they have in the past. They have optimism about reclaiming the urn from Australia, thanks to their aggressive approach. If that occurs, the hosts would take home the coveted series for the first time since 2015.

“We need flat, quick wickets. We want to enter the game and score right away. It invites their [Australia’s] players in, who will be content with quick bowling surfaces as well.” Sky Sports cited Stokes as saying:

The Southpaw added that he has been considering the pitches and is getting closer to deciding on a starting lineup when England plays Australia in the first Test on June 16 at Edgbaston. Also, Ben Stokes disclosed his conversations with medical support staff regarding the bowlers’ availability for the “Ashes 2023” Test series.

“I believe I have a good idea of who will start in the opening eleven. Any captain, in my opinion, would love to have the choice of a bowler who can bowl faster than 90 mph. I’ll make sure to select the best team for the first Test match when it comes to doing so “The Christchurch native went on.

Ben Stokes, the captain of England, discusses his injuries, his function as a fourth seamer, and his bowling lineup.

The left-handed batter and English skipper also spoke about the long-term knee problem the latter had been dealing with. Significantly, Ben Stokes has been in pain since February; as a result, he did not bowl much during the New Zealand tour. He did, however, remark that when he bowled for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 match last week, it was the first time he had done so without experiencing any pain. He maintains that his current situation is significantly better, and he intends to get fully fit in time for the highly anticipated Ashes series.

“Making sure I can do my duties as the fourth seamer in the Ashes is my first concern. I’ve had several fruitful discussions with the individuals hired to take care of our physical needs. I vowed to do everything in my power while we are in India to ensure that I will be in the greatest possible position to fulfill my duties when we get at the Ashes. I will do all in my power to survive, but if the medical staff can do anything to ease my suffering, please do “Regarding his injury, Stokes made a statement.

The host captain wants to have at least eight bowlers in his arsenal for the Test series while speaking of England’s bowling selection. Stokes has instructed the medical team to ensure that the aforementioned bowlers are fully fit throughout the series in light of this. Also, he made sure to name youthful and iconic pacers Mark Wood and Olly Stone, as well as gun bowlers Jofra Archer and James Anderson. While the other two bowlers are prepared to begin their campaigns with the current County Championship, he hopes that Archer will play red-ball cricket before joining the team.

“I’ve asked the medical staff to give our bowling team the best chance to have eight bowlers to choose from for each game. The games in this year’s Ashes, in particular, seem to be happening very quickly. I would really like to be able to access those resources during every game, “Ben Stokes continued.

Because of how lucky we are to be able to choose from this bunch of English players who are currently so good, Ben Stokes said, “I could pick a 20-man squad (right now).”