Mentality MONSTERS

MIND OVER MATTER FOR CAPT BEN

- GARY FITZGERALD

BEN STOKES wants his England side to crank up the heat and pressure even more to ensure a sizzling Test summer becomes a red-hot one to remember.

The all-rounder is anxious to build on a stunning whitewash of New Zealand and thrilling victory over India, and avoid the five-day side’s revival hitting a South African-shaped brick wall.

Stokes is primed and ready to leap back into action having enjoyed a decent break and recharged his batteries heading into the first Test against the Proteas at Lord’s on Wednesday.

But while four wins since taking over the captaincy from Joe Root have lifted England out of the doldrums and put the smile back on supporters’ faces, he is desperate for his side to build on the mental side of their approach.

He is determined the dramatic change under the leadership of himself and new coach Brendon McCullum is just the beginning of something special.