England’s Ashes campaign is already in the balance after going 2-0 down, and former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the time has come for current captain Ben Stokes to stop backing his players and start facing hard truths. For Hussain, Stokes’ usually protective and defiant tone took a sharp turn after the defeat at the Gabba, signaling that the captain has reached a point where optimism must replace honesty.
In his recent column for The Athletic, Hussain wrote that it was the first time Stokes had publicly expressed his displeasure with his own dressing room. He noted that the captain sent a clear message to his players with his statement that there was no “place for weak men” to argue that English thought and method under pressure was simply not good enough.
Hussain has been open about the repetitive nature of English mistakes. “They don’t think smart,” he wrote, adding that the team “doesn’t think straight under pressure.” He emphasized that England cannot afford to approach every Test with the same strategy and the same technical errors. In his view, the gap before the Adelaide Test must be used to have direct, uncomfortable conversations about accountability and decision-making.
He emphasized that Stokes has to sit down with individuals and challenge them to make their choices. Hussain explained: “They have to look those players in the eye and decide who is mentally strong enough because England can’t afford another game where they just rock up and play the same way. He argued that some players seem weighed down by past failures and Stokes needs to determine “who is thinking ‘here we go again’ as opposed to ‘I’ll end it’.
Hussain then pointed to specific examples. Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were cited for the same dodgy drives, despite being similarly dismissed earlier in the innings. Harry Brook’s technical problem off the stumps, he said, must be resolved immediately, even if it means simplifying his game for the rest of the series. He also criticized the lower order and questioned the decision-making that led to some light dismissals against the short-ball scheme.
The former England captain believes Stokes also needs to examine his own tactical instincts, particularly the tendency to use the short ball trick too early. And strategy aside, Husain warned that England’s preparation was inadequate and the lack of meaningful warm-up matches contributed to their muddled mindset.
His message is clear: this tour risks turning into another familiar Ashes story if Stokes doesn’t field his team honestly and hold him accountable. England have come back from 2-0 down before but Hussain says a recovery in Australia requires clarity, adaptability and a captain willing to have the toughest conversations of his career ahead of the clash in Adelaide.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 9, 2025
