Winning the Ashes Would Be Stokes’ Greatest Miracle
England came agonizingly close to securing a series victory against India—just seven runs short. In cricket, margins don’t get finer than that. A single clean strike from Gus Atkinson could have leveled the scores in the final Test, and a draw would have been enough for England to claim the series. But cricket, like life, doesn’t always reward near-misses.
What does such a narrow defeat teach us? The obvious lessons—hold your catches, don’t throw away centuries, and avoid losing key bowlers to dislocations—aren’t groundbreaking. Yet, beneath the surface, one truth stood out: Ben Stokes is England’s heartbeat.
With Stokes in the side, England can beat anyone. Without him, they’re vulnerable.
The Stokes Effect: England’s Indispensable Leader
Other teams contend with injuries—India played without Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant during this series and still won. But England’s reliance on Stokes runs deeper. He isn’t just an all-rounder; he’s the team’s balance, tactical brain, and emotional anchor. His absence leaves a void no one else can fill.
When asked if England are too dependent on Stokes, his response was succinct: “No.” Yet, the evidence suggests otherwise. Without his runs, wickets, and fielding brilliance, England lack the X-factor that defines their aggressive brand of cricket. It’s why Bazball might as well be called Benball—Stokes embodies its spirit better than anyone.
The Challenge Ahead: Reviving England’s Ashes Hopes
The next time we see Stokes on the field should be the first Ashes Test in Perth this November. England’s last series win in Australia was over a decade ago, in 2010-11. Since then, their record down under is bleak: 15 Tests, 13 losses, two draws. If they’re to reverse that trend, it starts and ends with Stokes.
Consider this:
– Among England’s squad, Stokes is the only batsman with a Test century in Australia.
– Only he and Mark Wood have taken a five-wicket haul there—and Wood hasn’t played a Test in 15 months.
Stokes has already engineered miracles—the 2019 World Cup final, the Headingley heist, Cape Town, the T20 World Cup win, and last year’s Lord’s masterclass. But leading England to an Ashes victory in Australia might be his toughest feat yet.
The Supporting Cast: Who Steps Up?
England’s batting looks strong—Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Duckett provide depth, while Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope must justify their long-term backing. But one injury could expose their fragility. If Stokes falters, who takes charge?
Bowling remains a gamble. The dream of a firing Jofra Archer-Mark Wood partnership is enticing, but injuries loom large. Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue could play crucial roles, but managing workloads will be key.
Spin has been a debate, but Ricky Ponting’s praise for Shoaib Bashir suggests England may finally have an answer to Nathan Lyon.
Australia’s Weaknesses: Cracks Beneath the Surface
While Australia’s bowling—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Lyon—is fearsome, their batting has vulnerabilities. Usman Khawaja is fading, Sam Konstas is untested, and Cameron Green remains out of position. Only Steve Smith and Travis Head offer unwavering reliability.
Scott Boland’s magic faded against England in 2023 (2-231), suggesting even Australia’s depth isn’t flawless. Still, home advantage and superior bowling tilt the scales their way.
The Countdown Begins: 108 Days to Glory or Heartbreak
With 108 days until Perth, England must:
– Ensure Stokes’ shoulder heals.
– Keep their fast bowlers fit.
– Ignore mounting Australian mind games.
The Aussies don’t understand Bazball, but they respect Stokes. Brendon McCullum’s record against them is patchy, yet Stokes thrives under pressure. If anyone can silence the Gabba roar or conquer the MCG, it’s him.
History says England can’t win in Australia. But history also said they couldn’t chase 359 at Headingley—until Stokes rewrote the script.
If he lifts the urn in Sydney, it won’t just be a victory—it’ll be Stokes’ greatest miracle.
108 days. Tick, tock.
