Ben Stokes: We want fast, flat wickets for Ashes series

OLIVER LAWRIE: Stokes also confirmed that England would continue looking to force results where possible and would bring their aggressive approach to this summer's Australia series

Ben Stokes has warned Australia that England will maintain their attacking approach as they fight to regain the Ashes this summer.

Stokes sees no reason for England to change their approach just because they're taking on arch-rivals Australia.

The fearless approach, masterminded by Stokes and Brendon McCullum, has seen England win 10 out of 12 Test matches since the duo took the helm in 2022.

Stokes was quick to dispel any suggestion they wouldn't maintain this approach against an Australian side which currently sits atop the ICC Men's Test team rankings.

"We'll keep doing the things that we've done," said Stokes. "There's no point changing what we've done over the last year, just because we're coming into an Ashes series.

"Every player knows that The Ashes is where everything just ramps up a little bit, but we'll just keep sticking to what we do."

^{Stokes has been in action for Chennai Super Kings at the IPL (S. Satish Babu/AFP via Getty Images)}

Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes also confirmed this approach will include forcing a result wherever possible: "It doesn't matter what the score is, what the situation is. It won't change. That wouldn't be being true to myself."

Stokes added that he has asked for the five Test venues to produce "fast, flat wickets" to suit England's bold batting style. "We have been clear with the ground staff," he said.

"We want fast, flat wickets because we want to score quickly and brings their guys into the game too."

Given his importance as the face of England's approach over the last 12 months, there has been much concern in recent times about Stokes' own fitness, with his knee causing him obvious discomfort over the winter and restricting his ability to bowl.

But he insisted that he has been able "to bowl pain-free" since then, including a solitary over so far for Chennai Super Kings at the Indian Premier League.

^{Stokes was last in Test action during the New Zealand drawn series (Phil Walter/Getty Images)}

He added that he will not take any risks with his fitness as the Ashes looms. "It has been a very frustrating year trying to manage this knee problem and not bowling much," he said.

"I have worked so hard over the last five weeks to get here. To be able to bowl pain-free - touch wood – has been great.

"Everything is going nicely, and I am taking it step by step and not rush things too much because my number one priority is making sure I can be the fourth seamer in the Ashes."

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