As the countdown to the Ashes 2025-26 series begins, former England captain Michael Vaughan has voiced his strong belief that Ben Stokes is the leader to guide England to victory on Australian soil. The iconic series will commence with the first Test on November 21st at the Optus Stadium in Perth, setting the stage for a thrilling five-match encounter.
England’s record in Australia has been challenging, with their last Test win occurring in 2011. However, Vaughan is optimistic that the current team’s aggressive style of cricket, spearheaded by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, can finally overcome this hurdle. This renewed approach has generated significant confidence within the squad.
Vaughan shared his perspective on the team’s ambition, stating that securing a trophy is paramount. He suggested that while a drawn series would be a positive step, the ultimate goal must be a series win. “I think they need a trophy,” Vaughan said at a Viagogo event. “I mean, would I take two-all now? Probably, let’s be honest. In the last few series, 2010-11 is the only time that I’ve seen England have success… We haven’t won a Test since. So actually looking at growth in terms of what English cricket is delivering and, crikey, if you could get a two-all series, you’d obviously take that.”
He further elaborated on how this Ashes series represents a pivotal opportunity for Ben Stokes to make his mark. Vaughan emphasized that Stokes’ determined mindset and his team’s aggressive brand of cricket are perfectly aligned to achieve success. “But I think Ben and his mentality, and the way that he plays his cricket, this is his moment. He has to deliver and he has to get that urn in his hand. And it’s not putting him under pressure. They’ll be speaking in this kind of language in the dressing room. They will expect to win this series and now’s the time to deliver,” Vaughan concluded, underscoring the expectation of a victorious performance.