Jibes will fire up Stokes for Ashes battle - Finn

STEVEN Finn believes the Australian media's decision to “provoke” England captain Ben Stokes could backfire at the Ashes.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Ben Stokes can thrive with a point to prove in the Ashes, insists Steven Finn, pictured inset left in action Down Under in 2010 There are players you don't want to provoke because it makes them even better. Ben falls into that category. Steven Finn

Stokes’ arrival in Perth this week was met with front-page jibes from the West Australian newspaper, which branded him “Cocky Captain Complainer” and dubbed his team’s methods as “dopey”.

It continues a long-running tradition of the local press taking aim at England’s sides, with the now-retired Stuart Broad a favourite target of previous trips, but Finn thinks such slings and arrows will only bring out the best in the combative Stokes.

Finn, who was part of England's last success Down Under in 2010/11 and has written a new book ‘The Ashes Files’ on his battles against the old enemy, said: “I think Ben Stokes thrives when he has a point to prove.