Stokes: England not arrogant — too far to label

England captain Ben Stokes has cooled talk of arrogance around his team, saying the label is a step too far and that his remarks calling critics 'has-beens' were a mistake.

After Australia won the opening Test in Perth, England regroup ahead of a day-night match in Brisbane. They also faced questions about selecting players for a Lions outing in Canberra rather than sticking to the Test XI.

Perth setback and the pace of the series

England led briefly in the second innings but collapsed late, losing the last nine wickets for 99 and conceding a swift defeat that has put pressure on their plans for the rest of the tour.

Stokes remarks and reaction

In a discussion with INLIBER Sport, Stokes said critics may call the team many things, but arrogance is perhaps too strong a description. He added that he would rather be described as rubbish in some contexts, and stressed that the 'has-beens' comment was misjudged.

Canberra plan and differing opinions

The decision to skip a Canberra fixture before Brisbane sparked debate among former England captains. Some argued the move reduced useful practice; others defended it as morale protection, with two ex-skippers backing the choice.

Preparation for the day-night Test in Brisbane

Stokes explained the thinking behind adding a pink-ball match to the schedule, giving England a taste of Brisbane conditions. He cautioned that multiple factors shape warm-up plans and that nothing is decided by a single game.

Training and squad updates

Brisbane hosted a lengthy training block, though rain shortened a morning session. Three fringe players joined the Lions for a two-day pink-ball match in Canberra. Fast bowler Mark Wood missed the Brisbane workout and is likely to miss the second Test with a knee issue.

Looking ahead

England had looked solid at times in the Perth game before the late collapse, which soured their performance. Stokes stressed the team will learn from the setback, stay true to their cricketing principles, and improve execution in the upcoming matches.

Expert comment

Analysts say England must balance attacking intent with tighter execution under pressure. The captain's reflections align with ongoing work to sharpen decision-making and clarity on the field.

Summary

England accepts Perth as a lesson and aims to reset for the remaining four Tests in the five-match series. The squad wants to convert chances, stay bold, and fix errors as they chase the Ashes in a demanding schedule.

Key insight: England will win by blending fearless cricket with sharper execution as the tour resumes. Source: BBC Sport.