England captain Ben Stokes has told his players not to think about themselves or worry about their places in the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney, insisting every decision must be about what is best for the team.
With England already having lost the Ashes, Stokes said no one should become “insular” or protective as changes are often expected after series defeats. England will name their final XI at the toss, with Matthew Potts likely to replace injured Gus Atkinson, and a decision still to be made between Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks depending on pitch conditions.
Stokes stressed that once players start focusing on personal performances, it becomes obvious and damaging. Instead, he wants the squad fully committed to the team effort, even in a dead rubber.
England were poor in the first three Tests but bounced back with a win in Melbourne, their first in Australia for almost 15 years. Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum, and director of cricket Rob Key have all said they want to continue despite the Ashes defeat.
The Sydney Test could still be important for momentum, though Stokes insists it is not about planning for the next Ashes, which is still far away. England’s next Test series will be at home against New Zealand in June.
The match will also be emotional, marking Usman Khawaja’s final Test for Australia, and will again support the Jane McGrath Foundation, continuing the SCG’s pink-themed tradition.
