Stokes - Experience has helped me handle criticism

With the Ashes on the horizon, the England captain talks to Stuart Broad and Josh Denzel about dealing with negativity
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'The reason why I'm able to deal with that now is because when you're younger, you maybe don't deal with it the best way' - Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes admits that he's reacted to negative comments on social media in the past. But experience and maturity has taught him how to handle the criticism that comes his way.

The England captain takes his team Down Under this winter for an eagerly-awaited Ashes series against Australia.

There is no bigger occasion in Test cricket, and the hype and expectation will be through the roof as all eyes turn to the first Test in Perth.

Inevitably there will be a great deal of online noise that surrounds the Ashes, but Ben knows how to handle whatever is coming in his - and England's - direction.

"Oh, goodness me, yeah [I've responded to online criticism]," he said.

"Being in the position that we are in, yes we obviously get some amazing things, but we're also exposed to a lot of negativity from people.

"Again, it just shows that, you know, getting older and being in so many different situations in the sport that we play, it just gives you invaluable experience and maturity."But the way in which I'm able to deal with that now compared to when I was younger... the reason why I'm able to deal with that [criticism] now is because when you're younger, you maybe don't deal with it the best way."

The way Ben puts it in perspective is to understand that there is no such thing as a bad day in sport, just positive and negative experiences that you learn from.

And that theory applies to everyone, whether they are captaining their country or working in an office."

Everyone has [a bad day] in their own particular work," he said.

"You know, just because we get out for nought sometimes, that's our failure in that day. But every job has it.

"I think the crucial thing about that is how it makes you feel. You've got your thing that you love and care. We love and care about our job, our cricket, but if you love something that you're doing and you don't quite get it right, it is still going to affect you as much as is going to affect me.

"But when you've got experience you know that you can put it in a good place."

Watch the video to see Ben in conversation with Stuart Broad and Josh Denzel.

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