We may be World Champions but want to be Ashes winners as well, says Ben Stokes

Stokes powered England’s run-chase in the electrifying final against New Zealand and ensured his side remained alive in the hunt with a fighting 84. Stokes hogged all the headlines for various reasons and has been the talk of the town. With the Ashes all set to kick start in August, Stokes has quickly shifted his attention on regaining the urn with another prolific outing.  

“I’ve woken up in better conditions, but it’s an incredible feeling,” Stokes, who was the Man of the Final, told AFP.

“We would have been devastated if we hadn’t managed to lift that trophy but looking back over that game I think it will go down in the history books as the best ever, with all the drama of a World Cup final. It’s an amazing thing to be part of,” Stokes added.

Stokes missed out on the previous edition of the Ashes due to his active role in the Bristol Night club brawl. The in-form all-rounder would look to replicate his magical form in the Test series as well and script history as this is the first time a World Cup and Ashes has been scheduled in the same year. England will lock horns with Ireland first in a one-off Test and then begin their quest to regain the urn against Australia. 

“We may be world champions but also want to be Ashes winners as well. Everyone here deserves to feel like a champion because we’ve just won it but when it comes to the Ashes it’s going to be heads on again because it has to be. Whether you’re winning or losing games, you’ve just got to wipe the slate clean,” Stokes added.