Australian Media’s Ben Stokes Hostility With ‘Quiet Confidence’ in England Success
The Ashes Mark Wood Ben Stokes hostility story has sparked interest ahead of the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series, as England fast bowler Mark Wood shrugged off criticism from the Australian press and expressed “quiet confidence” in England’s chances of success. Despite Australia being favourites at home, Wood insisted that England are mentally prepared to challenge them when the first Test begins on November 21 at Optus Stadium, Perth.
Mark Wood Shrugs Off Australian Media Hostility
In recent days, several Australian outlets have targeted England captain Ben Stokes, mocking the team’s Bazball approach and labelling it “dopey.” But Mark Wood says he has paid little attention to the noise. “I think that’s all part of it. I haven’t taken much notice of newspapers and things,” he said. “The reception from Australians in general has been great — everyone’s been friendly and excited for the series.”
Wood added that despite the off-field chatter, the team remains focused. “There’s a big build-up. The Barmy Army will be in full voice and right behind us. It’s all part of the Ashes theatre.”
Australia the Favourites, But England Confident
Wood acknowledged that Australia are favourites, especially given their formidable record at home. “They’re very hard to beat in their own conditions. They’ve shown that for a number of years,” he said. “That first game is huge. The first couple of wickets are vitally important. If we can get off to a good start, we can put pressure on them.”
Despite conceding that England haven’t won many games in Australia in recent times, Wood remains optimistic: “There’s a quiet confidence within our group that we can do well here.”
Preparation and Mindset Ahead of The Ashes
England have been working to replicate Australian conditions during their training sessions back home. “It’s not so hot in England, but we tried putting heaters in the tent to mimic the conditions here,” Wood explained. “It’s not the same, but it helped us prepare so that when we arrived, we could get up and running quicker.”
Ashes 2025-26 Fixtures
The Ashes series kicks off on Friday, November 21, 2025, and runs through Thursday, January 8, 2026, across five iconic venues:
- 1st Test: November 21–25, Optus Stadium, Perth (2:30am UK)
- 2nd Test (Day/Night): December 4–8, The Gabba, Brisbane (4:30am UK)
- 3rd Test: December 17–21, Adelaide Oval (12:00am UK)
- 4th Test: December 25–29, Melbourne Cricket Ground (11:30pm UK)
- 5th Test: January 4–8, Sydney Cricket Ground (11:30pm UK)
England’s Focus: Quiet Confidence Over Noise
Wood’s comments reflect England’s determination to stay composed amid media scrutiny. While Ben Stokes continues to attract attention, the squad is channeling energy into performance, not provocation. “Australia are favourites, but we believe in our preparation,” Wood said. “We’ll let our cricket do the talking.”
The Ashes 2025-26 promises to be another fiery chapter in cricket’s oldest rivalry, with England looking to reclaim the urn in hostile conditions.
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