Stokes draws on past experience in a bid to spark Ashes fightback

BEN STOKES is hoping memories of England's Ashes comeback in 2023 can help spark another fightback Down Under.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Stokes bats during a nets session at the Adelaide Oval yesterday

Wednesday's third Test at the Adelaide Oval is the first of three must-win games for a touring side who sit 2-0 down and have no more room for error if they are to succeed in bringing the urn back home.

On paper, it looks close to being an impossible task.

The only Test team to overturn such a predicament was Donald Bradman’s fabled side of 1936-37 and England are on a winless streak dating back 17 Tests and 15 years on Australian soil.

But Stokes’ first Ashes campaign as captain began in similar circumstances, with losses at Edgbaston and Lord’s, before a stirring reversal of fortunes unfolded.

Victories at Headingley and The Oval saw them tie the series, while it took two days of constant rain to deny them another win Old Trafford.