In the deafening silence that followed a humbling eight-wicket defeat in Perth, one voice cut through the noise with raw honesty and steely resolve. England captain Ben Stokes has finally spoken, delivering a message that was equal parts contrite and defiant: “Call us rubbish, but not arrogant.”
This powerful statement, made in the aftermath of the first Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series, has become the rallying cry for a team facing an uphill battle. It’s a line that acknowledges the brutal reality of their performance while drawing a hard line in the sand against what Stokes sees as a mischaracterization of his team’s spirit.
Table of Contents
- Stokes’ Post-Match Statement: Owning the Loss
- The Arrogance Accusation: Why Stokes Pushed Back
- Defending the Bazball Philosophy in the Face of Failure
- Looking Ahead to the Gabba: The Fight is Far From Over
- Final Thoughts on the Ben Stokes Ashes Journey
Stokes’ Post-Match Statement: Owning the Loss
There was no sugar-coating from Stokes. He stood in front of the press, his team having been outplayed by an inspired Australian side, and accepted the criticism head-on. He admitted his side was simply not good enough, falling short in both batting and bowling departments on a Perth pitch that offered a fair contest.
“We got beaten by a better team,” Stokes stated plainly . This simple admission is a hallmark of his captaincy—direct, honest, and devoid of the usual political spin. He didn’t blame the pitch, the weather, or bad luck. He put the onus squarely on his team’s inability to execute their plans under pressure.
The Arrogance Accusation: Why Stokes Pushed Back
However, Stokes’ acceptance of being labelled “rubbish” for their performance came with a crucial caveat: a fierce rejection of the notion that his team is arrogant. This is where his leadership philosophy shines through.
The “arrogance” tag is often levied at teams who play an aggressive, high-risk brand of cricket, especially when it fails spectacularly. Critics of England’s “Bazball” approach had a field day after the Perth collapse, accusing the team of being naive and overconfident. But Stokes sees it differently. He views their aggressive intent not as a sign of disrespect to the opposition or the game, but as a deep-seated belief in their own abilities and a refusal to play a timid, fear-based brand of cricket.
For Stokes, arrogance is about a lack of respect or a belief in superiority without cause. His team, he argues, is simply trying to win in the most exciting and effective way they know how—even if it sometimes leads to dramatic failures. He defended the team’s preparation and the decisions made during the match, emphasizing a culture of learning from mistakes rather than being paralyzed by them .
Defending the Bazball Philosophy in the Face of Failure
The Perth Test was a stark reminder of the double-edged sword that is Bazball. While it has delivered some of England’s most thrilling victories in recent years, it also leaves them incredibly vulnerable when the key players don’t fire. A top-order collapse, like the one that saw them bowled out for 164 in their second innings, is catastrophic in this high-octane system.
Stokes, however, remains the philosophy’s most ardent defender. He believes that the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. “We’ve seen what this style of play can achieve. We’re not going to shy away from it just because it didn’t work in one game,” he is expected to argue in the lead-up to the next Test. This unwavering faith is both his greatest strength and his biggest point of contention with critics who would prefer a more traditionally conservative approach, especially in the high-stakes environment of an Ashes series .
Looking Ahead to the Gabba: The Fight is Far From Over
With four Tests remaining in the series, the Ashes are far from lost. The next battle moves to the iconic Gabba in Brisbane for a day-night Test starting December 4th . This venue, a traditional fortress for Australia, will be a monumental challenge for an England side needing to regroup.
Stokes’ message to his team is clear: maintain confidence. He knows that panic or a sudden shift in philosophy would be the worst possible response. Instead, he will urge his players to double down on their core skills and trust their instincts. The team’s preparation in Canberra for a two-day warm-up match will be a crucial period to reset mentally and technically .
While the focus is on the Gabba, the series also includes a potential decider at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, a pitch known for being a balanced surface that can offer something for everyone—good for batting but with potential for early seam movement [[20], [25]]. This could be a perfect stage for a more nuanced application of the Bazball approach.
For fans looking for the latest on the series schedule and player form, be sure to check our comprehensive guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-2025-schedule] and our deep dive into [INTERNAL_LINK:england-ashes-squad-analysis].
Final Thoughts on the Ben Stokes Ashes Journey
Ben Stokes’ leadership is being tested like never before. His famous line, “call us rubbish, but not arrogant,” is more than just a soundbite; it’s a manifesto for his tenure as captain. He is willing to accept the harshest criticism for his team’s failures, but he will not allow their character or their intent to be questioned.
The road to reclaiming the Ashes urn is now a steep climb, starting with the daunting challenge at the Gabba. But if there’s one captain who thrives under pressure and in the face of adversity, it’s Ben Stokes. The English faithful will be hoping that his defiant spirit can ignite a miraculous comeback in this historic series.
Sources
- Times of India. “‘Call us rubbish, but not arrogant’- England captain Ben Stokes breaks silence after Perth defeat”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Various sources on Ashes 2025 schedule and fixtures [[11], [17]].
- Pitch report data for Bellerive Oval, Hobart [[20], [25]].
- ESPNcricinfo’s coverage on the Ashes series and team strategies .