England captain Ben Stokes bit back at former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson’s claims that the tourists have been arrogant in the way they have approached the Ashes.
The tourists are under mounting pressure heading into Thursday’s pink-ball Test at the Gabba.
Stokes reiterated his belief in the Bazball squad knowing what’s best for them while taking aim at Johnson.
“You can call us rubbish, call us whatever you want to be. I think arrogant might be a little bit too far,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“Sometimes you’re a bit like ‘I’m not too sure about that one’. But that’s OK, we will take the rough with the smooth.”
Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have been blasted for not sending some of their misfiring batters to Canberra for a much-needed hit-out in the Prime Minister’s XI game.
“I do understand,” Stokes replied when asked about the criticism of their decision to take a few days off rather than get in match practice.
“We’ve got a pink-ball Test match coming up in Brisbane and there’s an opportunity to play some pink-ball cricket. When you look at it just like that, you totally understand it,” he added.
England captain Ben Stokes. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“But there’s obviously a lot more to it than just that.
“The conditions are going to be completely different to what we’ve got coming up.
“You try and take all the factors into consideration – the pros, the cons, whatever it may be, and then you always discuss that and decide what we think is going to be our best preparation.”
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/11/29/call-us-rubbish-call-us-what-you-want-stokes-snaps-back-at-johnson-over-arrogant-claims/‘Call us rubbish, call us what you want’: Stokes snaps back at Johnson over arrogant claims
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