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Australian media amps up The Ashes with 'cocky tourists' jibe at Ben Stokes and Co

Soumyajit Dutta

Ben Stokes gets swiped at by Australian media [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Ben Stokes gets swiped at by Australian media [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The Australian media is known for its unorthodox welcome of visitors, and after a rather tongue-in-cheek welcome of Ben Stokes ahead of the Ashes opener, The West Australian newspaper agency published yet another lip-smacking headline featuring Ben Stokes and co. for the hot-topic lovers. 

Australian media stands true to its nature

In the publication of November 18, 2025, The West Australian newspaper published a picture of Ben Stokes golf-karting with the headline: "Pitch Perfect, England's worst nightmare. A green monster, but cocky tourists skip practice to play golf instead."

While the headline was pretty attractive, what might get the England fans off the mark was the “cocky tourists” phrase. The Perth pitch has been visibly green, which might not float the boat of England batters. As per the report from Aaron Kirby, the West Australian journalist, it’s the "stuff of nightmares for England’s flat-track ‘Bazball’ bullies". 

While the Australian media welcomed Ben Stokes with the 'Cocky Captain Complainer' remark earlier, it seems like the obsession with the term is not fading any time soon. 

However, it is true that England batters are more accustomed to slow-paced, batting-friendly pitches and might face significant trouble while facing Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc on the furious bowler’s paradise, Perth Optus Stadium. 

Exceptionally green Perth pitch for 1st Test

As per the report, the Perth pitch is exceptionally hard and very green, which is said to spark some quick cricketing action from day one with heavy swings and true bounce conditions. Of course, Boland and Starc, alongside would-be debutant Brendan Doggett, might get some purchase to get the lead with early wickets. 

The report further read that although these conditions are simply Bazballers’ not-so-friendly conditions, captain "Ben Stokes didn’t seem to care as he hit the fairways again", golf-carting instead of practising.

Nevertheless, the five-match Test series is set to begin on November 21 at Perth Optus Stadium from 8 am IST, as the last one is scheduled for January 4 in Sydney.