The Ashes 2025/26: Ben Stokes urges England to ‘show a bit of dog’ in must-win third Test against Australia in Adelaide | Cricket News

Captain Ben Stokes has urged England to show they have a “little bit of dog” during the must-win third Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Stokes said Australia was “no place for weak men” immediately after his side’s eight-wicket defeat in the second pink-ball Test, a result that left the tourists 2-0 down with three to play and a face to face to secure their first series win Down Under in 15 years.

The only change to the line-up came in the bowling attack with Josh Tonge replacing fellow seamer Jos Atkinson, retaining all seven top batsmen although only Joe Root averaged over 30 in the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane.

Stokes said the conversations were held after the loss at The Gabba, and told reporters when asked if those chats were “preliminary”: “Absolutely. We don’t go into rooms and put big things on the screen. We have proper, meaningful conversations. It’s been said.”

“I’ve done all the talking I needed to over the last couple of days. All that stuff has been done now, so it’s just a matter of what will be seen on the pitch in Adelaide this week.”

“It’s just about trying to fight through every situation you find yourself in, understanding the situation and what you feel is needed for your team.

“Just look at your opponent every time and show a little bit of dog. This is a fight to me. You give yourself the best possible chance if you have a little bit of dog in you.”

Why should England take inspiration from Lord’s Test vs India?

England showed a ‘piece of dog’ during the Lord’s Test against India during the summer of 2025 at home, as Zak Crawley’s time-wasting tactics sparked a row between the two teams late on the third night.

Stokes says this match has been mooted as England aim to return to the Ashes.

“You saw the way the team came out that day. We were probably in a position where we had to be absolutely perfect to win that game, and we were,” the captain added.

“The attitude and mentality towards that specific situation is what gave us the best chance to win that game.”

A day after coach Brendon McCullum said speculation about his job in the event of England’s defeat in Adelaide “doesn’t bother me”, Stokes echoed similar sentiments regarding his position.

“Once I start thinking I’m going to look after myself here, that’s definitely not what I’ll ever do and Brendon certainly isn’t going to do it,” Stokes said.

“We both give everything we can for the team and it will always be that way as long as we are in these roles.

“My job is to lead this team and I will do everything in my power to lead the team in the best way possible.”

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26

Australia leads the five-match series 2-0