Stokes tells England men to 'write our own history'

England captain Ben Stokes admitted yesterday beating “a seriously good” Australia will be tough but said his team was up for the challenge and had a golden opportunity to rewrite Ashes history.

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The tourists have not won a series in Australia for 15 years and have crashed to defeat in 13 of 15 Tests since, with two more drawn.

But with the hosts missing influential pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the first Test starting in Perth today, Stokes was upbeat about England's chances. “Coming to Australia, playing against Australia, they're a seriously good team,” he said.

“Everyone, including myself, knows the record of England over the history of Ashes in Australia isn’t the best.

“But you know, we've got an opportunity here over the next two-and-a-half months to write our own history.