Ben Stokes has delivered a scathing review of his side’s performance in the second Test after coach Brendon McCullum left fans stunned with his comments about England’s preparation following the defeat. England were once again left shellshocked after Steve Smith and Jake Weatherald helped Australia chase down the total of 69 to hand the hosts a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.
England were poor in the field having let a number of Australian batters off the hook in the first innings. Their bowling was also wayward as the hosts put on 511. Michael Neser did the damage with the pink ball and showed England how it was done with five wickets. And the Aussies wasted no time, despite a frustrating dinner break delay, in chasing down the total.
England coach Brendon McCullum had England fans stunned after his post-match interview as Ben Stokes (pictured right) was candid after their second loss on the Ashes Tour. (Images: Channel 7/Getty Images)
Stokes was all effort with the bat and the ball having led a brief comeback for England in the third innings having top scored with 50 off 152 balls. The allrounder put England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach away and showed some of his teammates how to play the conditions in Brisbane.
When he was caught behind off Neser’s bowling, Stokes showed his frustration having lashed out at himself when walking off the ground. The captain wore his heart on his sleeve throughout the defeat and it showed in his comments after the match ended.
Stokes cut a dejected figure when speaking and claimed some players needed to give more if they were going to overturn the 2-0 deficit. “Teams that come to Australia can’t be soft or weak. There is no room for that in any dressing room I’m in charge of,” he said.
“We pick people on ability and skill and we also pick people on character and mentality. There are a few things that need to be addressed on that.” Stokes’ words were telling and a number of England players maybe under pressure heading into the Adelaide Test. Although McCullum cut a different figure to Stokes in his post-match interview with Ricky Ponting and Stuart Broad.
Steve Smith (pictured left) and Ben Stokes (pictured right) cut two different figures after Australia’s win.
Brendon McCullum interview leaves fans frustrated
Former England players have been critical of their side’s preparation heading into the second Test match. England opted not to play a pink-ball match against Australia A in the build-up to the day-night Test. And England didn’t play much long-form cricket in Australia heading into the first Test in Perth.
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A number of England players have been called out for looking underdone heading into the series. But speaking after the match, McCullum left England fans stunned when he suggested one of the issues for the side’s performance was they over-prepared before the Brisbane Test.
“I actually felt like we over-prepared to be honest,” McCullum said on Channel 7. “I think sometimes when you’re in the heat of the battle, as we all know, sometimes the most important thing is to feel a bit fresh.”
McCullum’s comments have not been well received and England could be set to face more scrutiny depending on how their next move plays out. The England squad are now going to travel to Noosa from Brisbane, where they will spend some downtime ahead of their Adelaide trip.
Ben Stokes defends preparation ahead of Adelaide
But captain Stokes did back-up McCullum and suggest the team do need a break away from the sport with the first two weeks of the Ashes tour proving difficult. “We have been here four weeks and they have been pretty full on,” the allrounder said.
“As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it. I know that. I have experienced that. I know what the game can do to you when things aren’t quite feeling right or going well. It is so important when teams, when they do get an occasion or opportunity, go away as a team and put the pressures of this aside for a couple of days.”