NEW DELHI: England Test captain Ben Stokes has responded to the criticism following his side’s two-day defeat to Australia in Perth, pushing back against claims that the team was “arrogant.”

Stokes emphasized the commitment of his players and addressed the wider reaction to the loss while maintaining focus on the team’s preparation for the next Test.

Acknowledging results-based scrutiny

Stokes recognized the pressures of leading England in Test cricket and accepted that criticism comes with the role.

“It’s a results-based job that we’re in. We love our fans. We know we’ve got an incredible fanbase who come out here and support us. They want to see us win. We want to win. We’re absolutely desperate. They’re absolutely desperate. We’re all on the same wavelength.”

He stressed that the defeat was disappointing but highlighted positive aspects of the team’s performance.

“We didn’t have the Test match that we wanted, but we were great in passages of that game.”

Rebutting claims of arrogance

Addressing suggestions that England were “arrogant,” Stokes drew a clear line while accepting criticism over results.

“I think arrogant might be a little bit too far, but that’s OK. We’ll take the rough with the smooth. You can call us rubbish, call us whatever you want to. I’d rather words like ‘rubbish’, but ‘arrogant’ … I’m not so sure about that.”

He reinforced that the team remains committed to working hard and improving.

“We’re doing absolutely everything within our powers and using our time as best we can to allow us to go out there to try and achieve that goal.”

England will now turn their attention to the second Test, a day-night pink ball fixture starting on December 4 at the Gabba in Brisbane, hoping to regroup and respond strongly after the Perth defeat.