England cricket team captain Ben Stokes has urged his teammates to show a ‘bit of dog’ and bring the fight to Australia in the AUS vs ENG 3rd Ashes Test. The visitors are currently 0-2 down in the series, having lost in Perth and Brisbane in thumping fashion. Amid severe criticism directed at Stokes and co. by former England cricketers and several experts, the England captain is hoping that his teammates will be ‘switched on’ and bring out their best in Adelaide.
Stokes wants England to unleash the dog in Adelaide
Speaking to reporters ahead of the 3rd Ashes Test, Stokes claimed that his idea of fight was to was to try and tackle every situation and understanding what was required for the team in each moment. The England captain said that while he will not force anyone of his teammates who are unlike him to emulate him, he expects all the players to find a way to display that attitude.
“What it [fight] means to me could be completely different to someone else. It’s just trying to fight in every situation that you find yourself in and understanding the situation and what you feel is required for your team. Just look at your opposition every single time and show a bit of dog. That’s fight to me. As long as you go out there and everyone is in that mindset around the situation and what is needed, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance if you’ve got a bit of dog in you,” Stokes said.
Following the loss in Brisbane, Stokes had remarked that Australia wasn’t a place for weak men, conceding that his team had underperformed. From opener Ben Duckett to pacer Jofra Archer, majority of the players failed to deliver on the big occasion, putting the team in a perilous position in the ongoing Ashes series. Stokes said that he had delivered all the pep talk that was needed, adding that England had no option but to fight.
“I’ve done all the talking over the last two days that I needed to have done. All that stuff’s done now, so it’s about what gets seen out on the field in Adelaide this week.
“Everyone’s very switched on for what needs to be done this week. Yeah, a few more expectations, I think, around the group, but everyone responded incredibly well to it. Because what other option do we have?,” Stokes added.
