Ashes 2023: “Nothing is going to change”- Ben Stokes rules out England toning down ‘Bazball’ against Australia

The five-Test Ashes 2023 series begins in Edgbaston from June 16.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has confirmed that the side will not be toning down its aggressive approach in the red-ball format, dubbed as ‘Bazball’, after their head coach Brendon McCullum, when they face Australia in the five-Test Ashes 2023 series starting June 16.

Ben Stokes is well aware of the threat posed by World Test Championship winners Australia but says England has "found something that works".

Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have ushered in a fearless approach that has injected fresh excitement into Test cricket with England winning 11 of their last 13 Tests under the duo.

Stokes ruled out discarding that 'Bazball' approach in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston from Friday.

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“We know the threat that Australia poses, no matter who they are playing against, they are a very good team but we've found something that works and has been successful. That doesn't change with the opposition,” Stokes told BBC Test Match Special.

Stokes said there was no point in adopting a more measured approach against their arch-rivals. Australia are coming into the Ashes as the World Test champions.

"Nothing is going to change because we've had unbelievable success with it. If we were to change anything from the last 12 months because we find ourselves in an Ashes series, then anything from the last 12 months will have been completely pointless,” Stokes added.

England and Australia to play the first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston from June 16.