Stokes - Pressure is a privilege

The England captain on the importance of thriving under pressure, and handling intensity and fatigue
The Edge LogoThe Edge LogoThe Edge Logo
The Edge LogoThe Edge LogoThe Edge Logo
The Edge LogoThe Edge LogoThe Edge Logo
The Edge LogoThe Edge LogoThe Edge Logo
Down Arrow
"No one really cares if you’re tired. You've just got to put your boots back on and crack on with the job in hand." - Ben Stokes

A tour to Australia is as tough as it gets for England's cricketers, and this Ashes series has been no different.

Every session of every Test day brings immense challenges, and the pressure has been intense on Ben Stokes and his England squad.

Rising to the occasion in those moments makes or breaks a team, and Ben thrives in those situations. Indeed, he believes that pressure is "a privilege" if you're an elite sports person.

"You get put in pressure situations all the time when you walk out there and it's the same when you're tired," he said.

"If you feel like you're under pressure, or if you feel tired, it's actually a sort of privilege to feel those feelings when you're out there playing for England. That's the way that I look at it.

"I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do something that I've loved and wished that I could have done when I was a kid. So if I'm out there and I'm in a pressure situation, or I feel tired, it's a privilege to be able to be in those situations, because it's something that I love doing."

This Ashes series has been notable for the variable breaks between Tests. England had 12 days to prepare for the second Test in Brisbane after the first Test in Perth finished inside two days. And after a long build-up to the third Test in Adelaide, there were much shorter gaps between Adelaide and Melbourne, and now Melbourne and Sydney.

For Ben, that's just something you have to handle if you want to succeed at the highest level.

"I bat and I bowl, and you can always do with more time off your feet, but when it's intense, you don't moan, you don't complain.

"Part of the job is being fit. And if you have bowled and then you end up having to be back out there sooner than you expected, it's about putting your boots back on, getting back out there and trying and win a game for your country.

"We’re all fit. No one really cares if you’re tired. You've just got to put your boots back on and crack on with the job in hand."

Download the app
Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store

you may also Like

View all posts
View all posts

Want to be a partner of The Edge?

Get in touch
App Splash ScreenApp Explore Screen

Download
the app

The Athlete's Voice by 4CAST gives a voice to people from all sports, from the 4CAST collective's founder members to its ever-increasing roster of athletes, executives and professionals.

Packed with exclusive content about careers, interests and business opportunities, The Athlete's Voice demonstrates the richness of life beyond sport through the lens of its athletes, providing insight, challenging stereotypes and inspiring others.

Download it now to get everything in one place, from cricket and entrepreneurship to gaming and mental wellness, with exclusive and aggregated content, competitions, live match centres and more.

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Our partners