England captain Ben Stokes has defended his team’s attitude after a storm of criticism followed their dramatic collapse in the opening Ashes Test, insisting that while their performance deserved scrutiny, suggestions of arrogance are going “too far”.
The England side has faced intense backlash after losing inside two days in Perth, a defeat made more painful by the fact that they had started the match in a dominant position.
Australia’s spectacular comeback left the tourists reeling and triggered pointed remarks from former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who labelled England “arrogant” and “cocky Poms” on live television.
Stokes, speaking to BBC Sport during England’s training session in Brisbane, pushed back firmly against that characterisation. “You can call us rubbish, call us whatever you want,” he said.
“We didn’t have the Test match that we wanted to. Arrogant might be a little bit too far, but that’s OK. We’ll take the rough with the smooth. I’d rather words like ‘rubbish’, but ‘arrogant’, I’m not so sure about that.”
The intensity of the criticism was further fuelled by England’s decision not to send any of the playing XI from the first Test to Canberra for the England Lions’ fixture against the Prime Minister’s XI.
The move prompted debate in Australian media about whether England were showing sufficient respect for the tour and for their own preparation. Some former players questioned whether Stokes’ team had misjudged the optics of the situation, particularly after such a heavy loss.
But England management defended the decision, citing workload management and the physical strain of the opening Test in extreme conditions.
Meanwhile, three squad members who did not feature in Perth – Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts – have joined the Lions for the two-day pink-ball game in the Australian capital. Those staying in Brisbane began a five-day training block ahead of the second Test, a day-night match at the Gabba starting on 4 December.
Saturday’s training session at Allan Border Field was shortened by rain, though England still managed to run through several key drills.
Of the 13 players currently in Brisbane, only fast bowler Mark Wood was absent as he continued to rest his left knee following surgery earlier this year. Wood remains a crucial option for the Gabba Test, particularly given the extra pace and bounce expected under lights.
Stokes acknowledged that the mood within the camp was sombre after the defeat but said the squad had responded with determination rather than defensiveness. His emphasis, he stressed, was on accountability rather than excuses.
“We know we weren’t good enough,” he said. “There’s no hiding from that. It’s not about pretending the criticism isn’t deserved. It’s about focusing on what we can do better for Brisbane.”
Australia, buoyed by their emphatic victory, have maintained pressure through both performance and rhetoric. Johnson’s comments, though more inflammatory than those from within the current Aussie setup, reflect a long-standing tradition of verbal sparring surrounding the Ashes.
For Stokes, however, such remarks are little more than noise. “People are entitled to their opinion,” he said. “It’s the Ashes. Things get said. It’s part of the theatre.”
England now face the challenge of rediscovering discipline and composure in conditions that will again test both their technique and mentality. The pink ball under lights at the Gabba is expected to offer significant movement, and both sides know that the momentum of the series could hinge on the next five days.
Analysts have pointed out that England’s aggressive approach, often referred to as ‘Bazball’, appeared reckless at times during the Perth Test.
Stokes did not dismiss that criticism but indicated there would be adjustments. “We always play positive cricket,” he said. “But positive doesn’t mean careless. We need to be smarter in key moments. That’s what cost us.”
The England captain believes the team is capable of a strong response, saying morale has remained intact despite the disappointment. “This group doesn’t shy away from challenges,” he said. “We’ve bounced back before, and we’ll look to do it again.”
As England prepare for the crucial second Test, their focus is clear: silence criticism not with words, but with performance. Whether that will be enough to quiet accusations of arrogance remains to be seen, but for now, Stokes and his side seem intent on letting their cricket do the talking.
