Coach Brendon McCullum is expecting big things from England captain Ben Stokes in The Ashes this winter, warning the Australians that the all-rounder is ‘absolutely flying’ ahead of the series.
The highly-anticipated Test series gets underway on Friday in Perth, with England trying to win Down Under for the first time since 2010/11.
The home team are depleted thanks to injuries to captain Pat Cummins and fellow first choice bowler Josh Hazelwood, giving the English encouragement that they can start the series well.
Stokes will be leading the charge and McCullum says his captain is in fine fettle mentally and physically.
Although he did have one reminder for his skipper, that he doesn’t have to do it all himself and a big part of his job is getting the best out of his teammates, not necessarily leading from the front at all times.
‘Flying. Absolutely flying,’ the England coach told Test Match Special. ‘Fit, proper fit. He’s flying. Emotionally he’s in the best place I’ve seen him.
‘From a leadership point of view I’ve not seen him in a better space as well. Obviously physically he’s ready to go.
‘He knows that this is a huge moment for him as well. The key is, his greatest attribute as a leader is getting the very best out of those around him. Yes he’s a great leader from the front, but our best chance is for him not just to lead from the front but to get the very best out of those around him, keep pushing them towards the danger, keep being there as a protective layer if things don’t quite go right in that first moment and asking them to go again, that’s the strength he’s got as a leader.
‘He doesn’t flinch and if he cannot flinch over the next couple of months, which I don’t think he will, that gives us our best chance.’
The New Zealander also had special praise for off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is still in contention to play in Perth, although could miss out if England opt for an all-pace attack.
‘Bash is good. Bowling good,’ said McCullum. ‘Bash…what a kid he is! He hardly plays for his county, which is fine, but he comes in here and he is just…just a champion. He’s a gun bowler and the thing for him, don’t let too much stuff in.
‘Just go and bowl. Just go and do your thing. Take wickets. Little bit of this, little bit of that. Compete, get in the battle. have that presence you’ve got.
‘We love him to bits. Even if he doesn’t play in this first one, there will be a time in this series where Bash can win us a Test match. That’s exciting to be the age that he is.’
Australia are favourites for the series, but there is optimism in the England camp that they can pull off an upset.
‘For this team, it will define the progress we’ve made,’ said McCullum. ‘For Stokesy to be able to lead an England team to an Ashes win away from home would be huge.
‘We understand all of that stuff, but it’s about living in the moment and dealing with what comes. We’ll be challenged on this tour. We’ll have good days and bad days.
‘As long as we keep moving towards the target, then we’ll give ourselves the best chance.’