STOKES PRIMED TO GIVE IT A GO

BEN STOKES is clear that the only way England can win the Ashes is if his team plays with total freedom.

- DEAN WILSON

There can be no room for inhibitions in Stokes' vision for his team and for Test cricket, which is to have a go, and then come back the next day and have another go.

And if you get it wrong and you fail? Don't worry about it, you won't get anything but encouragement from the skipper and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Stokes has become almost evangelical about how he believes the game should be played and has delivered his sermon with a week to go before battle commences.