As the highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26 series approaches, former England captain Michael Vaughan has thrown his support behind Ben Stokes and his team to finally claim the coveted urn on Australian soil. The intense five-match Test series is set to commence on November 21st at Perth’s Optus Stadium, marking a crucial juncture for England’s recent cricketing approach.
England’s last Test victory in Australia dates back to 2011, a stark statistic that underscores the significance of this upcoming challenge. However, Vaughan believes the aggressive, ‘Bazball’ style of cricket, championed by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, has instilled a new sense of belief within the squad. This dynamic strategy has been credited with revitalizing the team’s performance and confidence.
Vaughan emphasized the team’s need for a significant trophy, suggesting that a drawn series, while historically acceptable, wouldn’t fully satisfy the current aspirations. “I think they need a trophy,” Vaughan remarked during a recent 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… if you could get a two-all series, you’d obviously take that.”
The former skipper sees this particular Ashes series as a defining moment for Ben Stokes. He believes the captain’s mentality and fearless style of play are perfectly suited for the challenge, presenting a golden opportunity to secure a series win. “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 stated, highlighting the expectation within the team to perform and succeed.
