Ahead of the Ashes Test series, former cricketer Andrew Strauss has warned England skipper Ben Stokes by saying that the Aussies will try to get under his skin.
The former cricketer also labelled Stokes as “phenomenal” and said that he likes how the incumbent skipper doesn`t care what people talk about what players are doing.
While speaking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, he said, “I think he`s phenomenal, Stokesy. I love his approach; I love how clear he is in his thinking, and I love the fact that he really doesn`t care what any of us think about what they`re doing”.
“He`s pushed English Test cricket forward quite a substantial way, alongside [head coach Brendon] McCullum. But he has got vulnerabilities, Stokes. We know he`s an emotional guy. And I think the Australians, as a nation, they`re going to really try and get under his skin over the course of these five Test matches,” he added.
Strauss also said that Stokes should be able to soak up the pressure that the Australians throw at him during the five-match Test contest.
“As a captain, you need to be able to suck that up and almost show that you`re unaffected. I think Stokes is going to find that difficult to do, but what he can do, and what he`s done very well in the past, is answer with his performances on the pitch – those incredible, inspired performances, some of England`s greatest performances of all time, with bat and ball,” said the 48-year-old former cricketer.
He also added that if the “Three Lions” suffer defeats in two Test matches, it will serve as a challenging part of the series for Stokes.
“He has the ability to do that, but it`s going to be very draining for him, mentally. If England lose a Test match or two early, that`s going to be a real challenge for him,” Strauss concluded.
The first Test match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to be played from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Ashes: Full Squads
Australia`s squad (first Test only): Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England`s squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
(With ANI Inputs)