Ben Stokes explains why Ashes are the biggest Test series in cricket

Stokes explains why Ashes are the biggest Test series: The English all-rounder expected real competition in the imminent series.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes believes that the first morning of any series is crucial to gain momentum for the whole series. In a recent interview with Wisden, Stokes considered it “hard” to comeback after losing the first Test of a series.

“I think that first morning of any series is when you want to stamp your authority as a team with bat and ball. Getting off to a good start can make it flow throughout the series.

“You want to be the team on top, and win that first day because hopefully that can carry on into the next four. If you go 1-0 down in a series, it can be hard to come back from, so you want to start very well,” Stokes was quoted as saying.

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Stokes, who has been named England’s vice-captain for the imminent Ashes series, will be looking to contribute across divisions as a specialist fast-bowling all-rounder

Stokes explains why Ashes are the biggest Test series

Been part of one away and home Ashes series, Stokes will be playing his third Test series against Australia. Having last played against their arch-rivals in 2015, Stokes would be wanting for his experience to count four years down the line.

Aware about the challenges that come alongside an Ashes series, the 28-year old cricketer expected “real competition” from both the teams and claimed the series to be the “biggest Test series” in cricket.

“It is weird Aussies trying to be nice to you. Once you get out in the middle and cross the white line, the real competitive side of both teams will come out and Ashes are the biggest Test series played in the world.

“There is always something that happens between teams in Ashes series and I don’t think this will be any different. Both teams are desperate to win, both sets of players are desperate to perform because Ashes series are where you get scrutinised and criticised more, or praised if you do well,” Stokes added.