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In the wake of a crushing defeat, England captain Ben Stokes candidly admitted that losing the Ashes really hurts, reflecting the deep disappointment within the camp. Despite the dispiriting nature of the first three Tests in Australia, Stokes remained defiant about his future as England captain, vowing to fight on and lead the side through this difficult period.
It hurts and it sucks: Ben Stokes after England lost Ashes series
England's Ashes 2025-26 campaign hit the rock bottom in Adelaide, where Australia secured an 82-run victory on the final day to clinch the series 3-0. While this marked the first time in the series that England managed to push a match into the fifth day, it was not enough to stop the hosts from clinching the urn. The comprehensive nature of the loss has intensified the scrutiny on both Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, raising urgent questions about the long-term viability of their Bazball philosophy under Australian conditions.
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We’ve not been able to stand up to the barrage of execution from Australia: Ben Stokes
With the series already decided, the pressure is now at an all-time high as England enters damage-control mode. The team is not only fighting to avoid a humiliating 5-0 whitewash but is also desperate to snap an 18-Test winless streak on Australian soil. The remaining matches will serve as a massive test of character for a leadership duo currently facing its most significant challenge yet.
“It hurts and it sucks. It’s very disappointing knowing that we can’t achieve what we set out to do here. It’s a pretty emotional time for me in the dressing room and for the guys, players, management, backroom stuff. I hate living in hindsight because you can never change what you have done… it’s what you do out there that counts and we’ve not been able to stand up to what Australia have thrown at us,” dejected Stokes said after the match.
“We’ve not been able to stand up to the barrage of execution from Australia. But we still have two games left in the series and a hell of a lot to play for, as individuals and as a team. We’re not going to turn around and kick the stumps over because we have so much more to play for,” he added.
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Who knows, whether Stokes will be there for England for the next Ashes or not, given his age and the significant physical toll his career has taken. However, his current central contract secures his role for the next 18 months, providing him with a definitive horizon. This timeline sets the stage for one final mission, a chance to reclaim the Ashes urn on home soil during the 2027 series.
Despite the exhaustion of the current campaign, Stokes remains resolute about his position. When questioned whether he still possessed the mental energy and the drive to lead the squad forward, he dismissed any doubts with a definitive, one-word answer: "Absolutely."
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