The fallout from England’s opening Test defeat has triggered widespread England Ashes criticism, with former players, pundits and fans questioning the team’s preparation, attitude and decision-making. After losing inside two days against Australia in Perth the first two-day Ashes Test defeat in more than a century captain Ben Stokes has stepped forward to address the concerns, defend his squad, and outline how England plans to respond before the second Test in Brisbane.
A Crushing Defeat and Rising Backlash
England entered the first Ashes Test with confidence, holding a dominant position early in the match. But after reaching 65-1 in their second innings with a lead of 105, the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 99 runs. The result sparked intense England Ashes criticism, with many questioning the team’s aggressive approach and decision-making.
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson escalated the criticism, calling England arrogant and accusing them of being cocky Poms at risk of serious embarrassment.His comments gained traction on social media, fuelling a negative narrative that Stokes was compelled to confront.
Stokes Pushes Back Against the ‘Arrogant’ Label
In an interview with BBC Sport, Stokes stated he could accept people calling the team rubbish after a poor performance but rejected the idea that England were arrogant. The England Ashes criticism, he said, was expected after such a performance, but certain labels went too far.
Arrogant might be a little bit too far, Stokes said. We didn’t have the Test match we wanted. You can call us rubbish; that’s OK. But arrogant? I’m not so sure about that.
Stokes also clarified earlier comments where he accidentally referred to former England captains as has-beens, admitting it was a slip of the tongue. He explained that he respects former players and acknowledged the poor choice of words.
Debate Over England’s Preparation Intensifies
Much of the England Ashes criticism revolves around England’s decision not to send any first-Test players to Canberra for additional match practice against the Prime Minister’s XI. Many believed the early finish in Perth provided a perfect opportunity to gain more time in the middle, especially with a pink-ball Test coming up.
Former England captains Michael Vaughan, Ian Botham and Graham Gooch questioned the move, arguing that more preparation was necessary. Vaughan called the decision strange, adding that England missed a valuable chance to regroup.
However, Stokes defended the choice, insisting the team wanted to stay together for morale and didn’t feel the slow Canberra pitch would offer meaningful preparation for the pace and bounce of the Gabba.
Focus Shifts Toward Brisbane
As the England Ashes criticism grows, Stokes remains focused on the upcoming day-night Test in Brisbane. Heavy rain shortened England’s first practice session, but the team has five days of training planned. Only fast bowler Mark Wood missed the optional session due to a recurring knee issue, which is expected to rule him out of the second Test.
England has been analysing their mistakes from Perth, especially the ill-fated decision-making that led to the collapse. Stokes emphasized that the team must learn quickly while staying true to their attacking style.
In terms of execution, we could have been better,he admitted. Sometimes decisions don’t pay off, but we won’t abandon our beliefs. We just have to be smarter.
A Broken Connection With Fans?
Before the Ashes, England’s revived style under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had rebuilt a strong bond with supporters. However, the first Test defeat especially for fans who spent thousands to travel to Australia has tested that relationship.
Stokes acknowledged the disappointment, saying he understands why supporters feel frustrated. But he reminded them that the series is still alive, and England’s goal of regaining the Ashes remains intact.
It’s a five-game series. We’ve lost the first one, but we’re desperate to come home with the Ashes,he said. We’ll use our time wisely and do everything we can to achieve that goal.
Learning From Mistakes and Moving Forward
Despite the England Ashes criticism, Stokes believes the team is capable of bouncing back. He praised Australia’s Travis Head for his match-winning century but admitted England must improve their shot selection and composure in crucial moments.
Staying true to our style doesn’t mean ignoring our mistakes,he said. We’ve identified key moments where we could have done better. Now it’s about learning from them.
The intense England Ashes criticism that followed the Perth Test has placed England under pressure heading into Brisbane. However, Stokes appears determined, calm and ready to steer his team forward. Whether England can overcome their early setback remains to be seen, but the captain’s message is clear: the Ashes are far from over, and this team is not backing down.
