Ashes 2025-26: "We've come over here to take Ashes home"- Ben Stokes fires warning to Australia ahead of Perth test

Ben Stokes said that he expects to play in all five matches of The Ashes 2025-26.

Ahead of the first test of The Ashes 2025-26, England Cricket Team captain Ben Stokes has fired a strong warning to the Australian Cricket Team, saying they aim to win the series and take the trophy home. The England all-rounder also stated that he looks forward to playing in all five games in the series.

The Ashes 2025-26 will commence on November 21 with the opening game at Optus Stadium in Perth. While Stokes is all set to lead the visitors in the clash, hosts Australia will be without their captain Pat Cummins for the first game as he has been ruled due to a back injury and will be available from the second game.

England failed to win the previous Ashes 2023 at home, with the five-match series ending in a 2-2 draw and Pat Cummins & Co. retaining the trophy. Now, the Ben Stokes-led side have a tough task of stealing the Ashes urn as Australia are known for their supremacy at home.

We’ve come over here to take the Ashes home: Ben Stokes

In an interview with former England cricketer Michael Atherton on Sky Sports, Stokes termed The Ashes 2025-26 as the biggest series of their lives. He added that they have come here with a mindset to win the Ashes and take the trophy home.

“Definitely the biggest series of our lives. Everyone in the world, everyone in Australia and England, knows how big this is. I think if we were to come out and not accept that, and say ‘it’s just another series’, we’d only be lying to ourselves, lying to the fact of what the series is. It’s looking it in the eyes, taking it on and not being afraid of the challenge,” he said.

“It’s about letting everyone know what the expectations are going to be like, so it’s not a huge shock and a ‘woah, I didn’t expect this to be like this’. We’re in a good place. We’ve come over here to take the Ashes home, that’s the end goal, and we have selected a squad we think will give us a great chance,” he added.

I definitely expect to play five tests: Ben Stokes

Stokes, who has battled with hamstring and shoulder injuries this year, stated that he expects to play all five tests against Australia. In the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, the England captain missed the fifth test against India due to a shoulder injury.

“I give absolutely everything when I play for England around the world. If I walk out on the field feeling I have to prove myself, that isn’t me as a captain or leader. I definitely expect to play all five Tests. I am 34, I have played a lot of cricket and it is hard to do everything as an all-rounder,” he said.

“That is how I have always played the game. I will leave it all out there. I have worked so hard the last three months to make sure that when it comes to game time I am there physically to fulfil that role,” he added.

England have a strong pace unit in their squad with the likes of Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, and Josh Tongue, with Stokes assisting them in bowling. On the other hand, Australia’s bowling unit has been hampered by the ouster of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott for the opening game. Steve Smith will captain Australia in the Perth test in Cummins’ absence.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.