Ben Stokes: England have ‘proper mindset’ to affect second Ashes Test

England captain Ben Stokes says his facet are taking “lessons” from their two-day loss in Perth into the day-nighter second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

The pink ball Test begins in Queensland from Thursday on the Gabba as Stokes’ outfit look to stage the five-match collection following their robust loss in Perth.

However, they’re up in opposition to it with the pink ball a format through which their opposition thrive. England have misplaced 5 of their seven day-night Tests, together with all three in Australia, whereas the house facet have 13 victories from 14 within the format, with the one blot a defeat to West Indies in Brisbane in January 2024.

Not solely that, England have solely gained two Ashes Tests in Brisbane of their final 20 makes an attempt, with their most up-to-date outing at The Gabba a nine-wicket drubbing in 2021 at first of a collection they went on to lose 4-0.

While there’s a lot at play that’s seemingly working in opposition to England, Stokes says he is aware of that if his gamers exit with the proper mindset to “influence” the sport, they’ll take a step nearer to profitable the Ashes.

“I think mindset is everything when it comes to sport in general,” Stokes mentioned.

“When you’re put in all sorts of conditions, so long as your thoughts is evident on what you’re going on the market to attempt to do, that’s an important factor.

“I’ve received full belief within the gamers we’ve chosen to go on the market with the mentality that they’ll affect the sport in the fitting method for us.

“Sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way.

“We addressed final week, we assessed sure moments in that recreation, and we undoubtedly take some classes from final week.

“It is a chance for us this week to do what we want to do and that is win the Ashes.”

England will solely know the XI they’re going through when it will get to the toss on Thursday, with Australia leaving it as late as doable to announce their facet as their skipper Pat Cummins stays in competition to play as he continues his return from a again difficulty.

When requested if that call from the opposition was thoughts video games, Stokes boiled it right down to Australia genuinely not realizing as of but who their facet will probably be.

“I see it as that they don’t know what 11 they are going to pick until the toss,” he mentioned.

“We will just have to wait and see what 11 they go for.

“Pat (Cummins) is superior, has been for a really, very very long time.

“He has done great things, not only as a player, but he has been great since he has been given the responsibility of captain of Australia.

“Whatever 11 they go along with, if Pat is there, if Pat isn’t, we are going to nonetheless be going to attempt to get the win this week.”

Jacks is ‘shaping into cricketer I knew he may very well be’

While Australia haven’t introduced their facet but, England have, all-rounder Will Jacks changing Mark Wood in the one change from the workforce that misplaced the collection opener in Perth.

Wood had been anticipated to overlook out after skipping England’s first coaching session in Brisbane on account of a problem together with his left knee, however the number of Jacks may very well be seen as a stunning transfer.

The off-spinner, who will bat at No 8 within the order, has performed solely two Test matches, each approaching the 2022 tour of Pakistan through which he claimed a five-for on debut.

For Stokes, since that debut, Jacks has gone from “strength to strength” and is assured he’s in good kind as he makes his declare within the facet.

“Since coming into the squad in Pakistan and starting off very, very well, he has turned himself into a cricketer that I always thought he could be,” Stokes mentioned.

“He is incredibly talented and he has gone from strength to strength.

“He has been enjoying nice out right here in coaching, within the nets, so it’s nice for us that somebody who’s trying in fairly good order coming in for us in a giant Test match.

“You try and leave yourself as much time as you can to come up with different angles for a 11.

“We tried to take a look at how we thought spin was going for use so there may be the tactical component to it then Jacks’ potential with the bat down the order for us is helpful as effectively.”

Nasser: England ‘covered both bases’ with Jacks

For Sky Sports Cricket’s Nasser Hussain the decision to go with Jacks as the spin option over front-line spinner Shoaib Bashir is the correct one given the conditions England will be facing in Brisbane.

“I feel it’s the proper factor to do clearly with Mark Wood injured,” mentioned Hussain.

“Five seamers always seems a lot anyway but they had to in the last game at Perth because of the conditions.

“Here, with out Wood, and the opposite seamers getting some overs underneath their belt, you possibly can go along with the spinner however then it’s which spinner do you go.

“Do you go with the frontline spinner of Shoaib Bashir or someone like Will Jacks who bowls spin but also bats down the order.

“I feel they’ve achieved the fitting factor. They have coated each bases. We do not understand how a lot this pitch goes to spin and chances are you’ll simply want that spinner who bats.

“Jacks is a batter who bowls a bit of spin. He is a very good cricketer and I think England have gone the right way.”

Pope: We are discovering the fitting stability

Heading into this second Test, there was some noise round the truth that England opted in opposition to heading to Canberra to play a two-day match in opposition to a Prime Minister’s XI as preparation regardless of their batting woes.

While No 3 Ollie Pope understands the surface noise, he insists that everybody within the England outfit has achieved the preparation that may get them in one of the best place to be going through the likes of Mitchell Starc underneath the lights.

“You can kind of look at it both ways and I can understand why there was a lot of noise around the two-dayer but at the same time, we are now trying to prepare for Mitchell Starc who is going to be trying to swing the ball on the bouncier pitches here,” Pope advised Sky Sports.

“I know there is this view from the outside that we train and then rock up for the game but everyone is very well in tune with what works for them on the pitch.

“We are as prepared as we ever will probably be for this recreation and for the opposite video games as effectively which is basically vital.

“I’ve learnt over my time what will get me in the fitting mind set and that’s the stability of switching off from cricket but additionally being 100 per cent right here when you’re on the floor.

Ashes collection in Australia 2025-26

All occasions UK and Ireland

• First Test (Perth – November 21-25): Australia beat England by eight wickets
• Second Test (day/night time): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
• Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (11.30pm) – Adelaide Oval
• Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground