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New Delhi: England skipper Ben Stokes has lashed back at the media frenzy in Australia with a defiant response ahead of the second Test of the Ashes series starting in Brisbane on December 4.
More than cricket, English players have been more in the headlines in the Australian media due to their off-field activities since their arrival Down Under for the five-Test series. From airports to golf courses to aquarium visits to road trips, the Englishmen have been constantly tracked by the local media.
More recently, Ben Stokes & Co. garnered media attention following a helmetless scooter ride in Brisbane, which prompted a couple of high-profile ministers in the Queensland government to educate and troll 'silly' England cricketers. Stokes, Mark Wood, and Jamie Smith were caught riding two-wheeler electric scooters without helmets in Brisbane and fortunately escaped fines.
"What the Pommy cricketers did was very irresponsible, but it has helped us with a new road safety campaign. Don't be silly like the Pommy cricketers, wear your helmet," Queensland Minister of Sport Tim Mander said.
However, Stokes said no matter how much attention he and his team get from Australian media, it won't affect their enjoyment of Australia.
An adamant Stokes said that the media attention is "part and parcel" of touring Australia and termed it better than enduring England's miserable winter. He also lavished praise on Australia, labelling it the best place for a cricket tour, saying there are "so many things to do."
On the field, England face a much tougher task of breaking Australia's Gabba stronghold and making a comeback in the series after the Perth Test humbling.
With two wins in 20 Tests at the Gabba, England head into the Day-Night Test on the back of a dismal record at this venue. The Three Lions' last victories at the Gabba came in 1933 and 1936.
