OZ TALK HALTED

Stokes not hyped up over Ashes showdown

- RORY DOLLARD

BEN STOKES is confident he will not make the same mistake by hyping up England Ashes talk too early.

England head Down Under next winter to renew their battle with Australia in a bid to reclaim the urn they have not held since losing it in 2017-18.

But Stokes, who leads the side against New Zealand this week in their final overseas outing before the 2025/26 Ashes, is intent on ensuring the showdown with their bitter rivals does not serve as a distraction from the big tests his side face before then.