Seeking their first Test victory in Australia since 2011, England are expecting their leader Ben Stokes to lead from the front with his all-round brilliance as they gear up for the upcoming five-Test Ashes series, also a crucial leg of the ICC World Test Championship.
It has been over a decade since England last triumphed in Australia, when Andrew Strauss led them to a 3–1 win in the 2010–11 series. Since then, the visitors have endured a lean run Down Under, managing just two draws and suffering 13 defeats in 15 Tests. To change that record, they will need standout performances, and all eyes are on their talismanic skipper.
Stokes has long been England’s big-match player, best remembered for his heroic unbeaten 135 at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes, which secured one of the most dramatic Test victories in history.
Opener Ben Duckett believes the captain is primed for another special series.
“I can only say we’ve been out here for a few days and he’s been in beast mode,” Duckett told the Willow Talk podcast. “He has been running, bowling two spells, batting for two hours. The way he trains and stuff these days is something that I’ve never seen before.”
Duckett added that England’s hopes would soar if Stokes remains fit enough to contribute as an all-rounder throughout the five Tests. The England captain is one of only three men in Test history, alongside Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis, to have scored over 7,000 runs and taken more than 200 wickets.
“He’s probably the most important man on this side when he’s bowling. So hopefully he stays fit for all five Tests and he’s bowling in all of them because he’s crucial for us,” said Duckett.
Stokes’ fitness will be under the spotlight, particularly with Australia’s regular captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the series opener in Perth due to a back issue. Vice-captain Steve Smith will lead the side in his absence. Yet the hosts’ bowling attack remains formidable, boasting the experience of Mitchell Starc (402 wickets), Josh Hazlewood (295), Nathan Lyon (562) and Scott Boland (62).
Duckett acknowledged the challenge ahead. “You know how tough it is for touring sides coming over here. I’m not expecting or setting myself any targets. I know I’m opening the batting against probably the best bowling attack in the world in their home conditions.”
He also emphasised the need for England to adapt to conditions and situations rather than stick to a fixed approach.
“There are moments as an opening batter, for example, it could be at Perth where we’ve got five overs to see at the end of the day. And I did it against India last summer, where actually (we batted) just get through it. I don’t care how many runs you’ve got, just be there in the morning.”
For Duckett, the focus will be on converting promising starts into match-defining innings. “I think that’s where we’re trying to go as a team now, it’s not just being this entertaining, reckless at times, side. And it’s something that I’ve got frustrated with myself in the past, where I might have got 80 off 60 and it looks great and stuff, but they’re going to put my side in a good position. So it’s realising moments and doing that and then kicking on and getting a big score. And I think that’s where we’re really wanting to go as a side now.”
The 2025–26 Ashes will begin on November 21, with the first Test scheduled at Perth’s Optus Stadium.