Ben Stokes told England fans “we can’t believe we have been beaten” and said he is ready for a big score with the bat after another tough day at the Ashes on Friday. The visitors were forced to work hard till 150 overs. On the field in the last two days, Australia scored 473 for nine in their first innings of the second Test in Adelaide.
In reply, England were reduced to 17 for two after losing openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed cheaply.
Star all-rounder Stokes said the tourists still hope to repay the aggrieved supporters of England, who thrashed their team by nine wickets in the first Test.
“We are seeing a lot of support on social media from everyone back home in England and the people who support us here in Australia are absolutely phenomenal, they always have been,” said the 30-year-old.
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“Obviously the first Test (in Brisbane) didn’t go well and Australia are ahead at the moment, but we know we’ll have as much support back home as we always do.”
The charismatic Stokes admitted he was feeling “in pain” after returning from a long break to deal with a finger injury and mental health issues.
But he is enjoying being back in the England squad and facing arch-enemy Australia.
“I have loved every minute of it, you know walking on the field and wearing the three lion is definitely one of the great feelings as a cricketer,” he said.
“These grounds and being away from home in Australia obviously make it a little bit more difficult with the crowds and stuff, but it’s a huge honor as well as great.”
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Stokes scored just five and 14 with the bat in Brisbane but said on Saturday he was expected to do better as England look to play in Australia again.
“I didn’t get anywhere near the number of runs I wanted to score in the first game, but how I try and look at batting in the middle isn’t always to focus on the runs scored, but how I felt. In the middle before getting out,” he said.
“I felt good in the nets and I felt really good in the middle both times (in Brisbane). I just wasn’t able to go ahead and get the big score I want.
“I will go out (on Saturday) with the same mindset as I did in Brisbane.”
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