England captain Ben Stokes struck a calm and composed tone on Saturday as he reflected on the heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test, insisting that the team has already extracted the necessary lessons and moved forward. Despite the noise outside, Stokes backed England’s approach, including the much-discussed decision for players to skip the pink-ball tour game.

Australia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series with a dominant eight-wicket win in what turned out to be a dramatic two-day contest in Perth. The match was defined by sudden batting collapses, relentless pace bowling, and a stunning 123 from Travis Head that completely shifted the momentum.

England’s second-innings collapse invited sharp criticism, with former players branding the performance “brainless” and “arrogant,” especially given England’s strong early position.

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Ben Stokes, however, preferred to look at the broader picture. Speaking in Brisbane ahead of the crucial day-night Test, he said the squad had open and constructive discussions about the loss. “We’ve talked about it and we’ve moved on,” he said, stressing that the atmosphere within the camp remains focused and positive.

He was quick to acknowledge Head’s brilliance—“Travis played an amazing knock”—but firmly rejected the notion that one innings alone dictated the outcome. Instead, Stokes highlighted several “amazing moments” from England’s performance, particularly the disciplined bowling effort in the first innings and a first-innings total they believed was genuinely defendable.

Still, he admitted the side missed key opportunities that could have helped build a stronger advantage. “We all know there were moments where we could have performed better,” he said. “The important thing is to learn from it as a team and as individuals.”

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As England prepare for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba—a fortress where Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night matches—the spotlight shifted to England’s preparation. Their decision not to field first-choice players in the pink-ball match against the Prime Minister’s XI drew criticism from former captain Michael Vaughan, who labelled it “amateurish.”

Stokes defended the move, explaining that the conditions in Canberra would have offered little value for the Brisbane challenge. England instead prioritised controlled training sessions at the Gabba. “We know we are doing everything we can to be best prepared for this game,” he said, confident that the team’s preparation aligns with their bigger goals.