Strewth hurts

BEN'S TOUGH TALKING AFTER TOUR SHAMBLES

- FROM RORY DOLLARD in SYDNEY

BEN STOKES is ready to dish out some hard truths to England's Test team after accepting the shine has come off his reign as captain.

A 4-1 defeat in the Ashes on the heels of a 2-2 draw at home to India over the summer leaves England with precious little to show for a six-month period many felt would define the era.

Significant changes were made to build to a goal that was badly missed, with the likes of Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Jack Leach moved on in favour of fresh blood.