With Ben Stokes fired up to end England’s long Ashes drought Down Under, I’m curious: what’s different about this squad, and do they have what it takes to beat Australia at home finally? As a coach, I’m always thinking about what sets winning teams apart on the biggest stage.
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Stokes’s leadership style has really boosted team spirit—he’s not afraid to take tough calls or back new players like Shoaib Bashir. This England squad seems fitter and more united than past tours, and Stokes setting the tone with his own training is a big deal. But winning in Australia means handling huge pressure and playing your best across all five Tests—consistency is everything.
Winning in Australia is all about mindset and resilience. Stokes has shown he’s ready to lead by example, but the real test will be how the team responds if things get tough early on. If England stays focused and recovers quickly from setbacks, they have a real shot at making history—but they’ve got to earn it every game.