WE'RE PUTTING IT ALL OUT THERE LOOKING IT IN THE EYES AND NOT BEING AFRAID

Stokes dreaming of glorious future as bold England side bid to secure a place among past greats as wizards of Oz

- RORY DOLLARD

THE numbers might not make good reading: England have not won a Test on their past three tours, losing 13 times and drawing twice.

But in a matter of hours in front of a 60,000 sellout crowd at the Optus Stadium here, the first ball will be bowled in the Ashes and it will only be about the future.

"I do understand how big a series this is," said England captain Ben Stokes.

"I've come here absolutely desperate to get on that plane home in January as one of the lucky few captains from England who have come here and been successful.

"[If we were] playing it down and not really accepting this moment for what it is, we would not really understand what the moment is. A lot has been spoken about the history and how it has gone for England.