Ben Stokes has asked his England team to “show a bit of dog” in the crucial third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.
England are 2-0 down and must end a 17-match winless run in this country at the Adelaide Oval in order to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive.
Following the defeat in the second Test at the Gabba, Stokes said his dressing room was “no place for weak men”.
And the captain admitted his team have had “raw” conversations in the eight days since the loss in Brisbane.
Wednesday’s Test at the Adelaide Oval (23:30 GMT Tuesday) is a return for Stokes to the ground where he made his Test debut 12 years ago.
On that occasion, as a 22-year-old he introduced himself to Ashes cricket by clashing with Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Asked if on-field fight is an instinct that comes more naturally to him than his team-mates, Stokes responded: “It’s a word that I think people don’t really understand what it means. What it means to me could be completely different to someone else.
“It’s just trying to fight in every situation that you find yourself in and understanding the situation and what you feel is required for your team. Just look at your opposition every single time and show a bit of dog. That’s fight to me.
“As long as you go out there and everyone is in that mindset around the situation and what is needed, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance if you’ve got a bit of dog in you.”
Stokes said his team have had “meaningful conversations” and used the third Test against India at Lord’s in July as a source of inspiration.
On that occasion, England won a fractious contest by 22 runs in a thrilling conclusion at the home of cricket.
“That’s exactly what I’m on about,” said the all-rounder. “That was a moment where we all did that, we all noticed and we all identified that moment.
“You saw the way the team came out on that day. We were probably in a situation where we would have to be absolutely perfect to win that game and we were. On the back of attitude, mentality towards that specific situation is what gave us the best chance of winning that game.”
