Stokes brushes off prep criticism from ‘has-beens’

BEN Stokes has dismissed criticism from “has-beens” over England’s Ashes preparations, insisting this week's in-house warm-up will be a full-on “balls to the wall” affair.

- BY RORY DOLLARD

England captain Ben Stokes bats during an England Ashes squad training session at Lilac Hill in Perth, Australia yesterday

A three-day clash against England Lions XI, starting at Perth's Lilac Hill outground today, represents the only tour game before the first Test on November 21, a decision which has generated plenty of heat.

Former players from both sides of the divide have had their say, with Lord Botham and Michael Vaughan among those to question the light run-in from an English perspective.

Ex-Australia opener Simon Katich joined the chorus yesterday, telling the West Australian newspaper the schedule was “asking for trouble”

But England skipper Stokes gave the idea short shrift in his first public appearance of the trip. He said: “The next three days is balls to the wall for everyone.

“No easing into it. There'll be a good run out for everyone.