Stokes urges England to 'show a bit of dog' in must-win Adelaide clash

Ben Stokes has called on his England side to demonstrate resilience in the upcoming Adelaide Test, a match they must win. Despite the pressure surrounding England's Ashes campaign, Stokes sees parallels with their comeback from 2-0 down against India two years ago. Although the challenge is tougher this time, with England's away record in Australia being poor for 15 years, the captain is adamant that their objective remains clear.

"We can use our past experiences of being in this kind of situation," Stokes said before the Adelaide Test. "We know what it’s like and we always knew we had to come here and win a certain number of games. So, from that perspective, nothing has changed."

Stokes believes that being behind in the series has actually simplified the team's focus, rather than complicating it. "Everyone understands what needs to happen this week, and beyond. In some ways, it makes things clearer and more straightforward for us. I fully believe that we are capable of turning this around."

Stokes dismissed the notion that the players owe him or the management a performance in return for their support. "I wouldn't frame it that way," he stated. "We have consistently supported this group, not just during successes, but also during challenging times like these. It's in these moments that you trust the players you've backed to step up and deliver."

He continued, "Hopefully, this week, those players can rise to the occasion for the team and the country. I would never put it in terms of owing anything. Just go out there, do what's required, and have faith in your abilities."

The captain urged his team to show grit in this crucial game, referencing the Lord's Test against India earlier in the year as an example. In that game, which was also the third Test of the series, a heated exchange between Zak Crawley and India's captain, Shubman Gill, seemed to ignite England, who went on to win.

"I've said everything I needed to over the past couple of days. Now, it's about what we do on the field in Adelaide this week. It's about fighting in every situation, understanding what the team needs, and showing some 'dog' against the opposition. To me, that's fight. Having that attitude gives you the best possible chance."

Stokes also addressed the lingering tension from the end of the Brisbane Test, where Jofra Archer's aggressive bowling against Steve Smith briefly injected some intensity into the match. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Stokes emphasized that such moments are secondary to the ultimate goal.

"We must keep our focus on winning this week and ensure that remains everyone's priority," he said. "If a situation arises where we feel we need to get confrontational, then I'm sure it'll happen, and we'll respond as a team. But we can't let our minds be solely focused on creating that kind of situation. The most important thing is to win."

According to Stokes, the team's response in recent days has demonstrated a strong sense of purpose. "The reaction from the entire group has been exactly what I wanted to see."