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"We've got 50 minutes": Carse reveals how Stokes pep talk inspired English fightback at Perth

Akshita Patel

Ben Stokes' mindset changed things for England [Source: @Akshatgoel1408/X.com]Ben Stokes' mindset changed things for England [Source: @Akshatgoel1408/X.com]

England’s Ashes campaign could have gone badly wrong on the very first day in Perth. After being bowled out for just 172 runs in under 33 overs, the visitors looked shaken. 

But thanks to Ben Stokes’ leadership and an inspired bowling effort, England roared back into the game and turned the mood completely.

Ben Stokes’ pep talk changed the momentum for England

Fast bowler Brydon Carse, talking to the media after stumps on day 1, opened up about how Ben Stokes helped the team reset their mindset after the collapse. 

Instead of letting the disappointment settle in, the England captain kept the dressing room calm, positive, and focused on what they could still control.

According to Carse, Stokes kept things very simple. He wanted the bowlers to hit the wicket hard and make the most out of the 50 minutes of play left before the tea break. 

"He was always positive, always full of enthusiasm, and really very simple messaging, and that's the way that he has always dealt with the side.Stokesy said, 'Let's smash the wicket hard and let's get as much as we can out of it. We've got 50 minutes before Tea,'" Carse said.

That mindset worked instantly. The hostile opening spells from Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer set the tone and put the Australians under serious pressure.

"I thought the way that Gus (Atkinson) and Jofra (Archer) started was phenomenal and we carried that into the afternoon session. I thought we were quite relentless as a group of seamers and Ben rotated us well,” he added.

Ben Stokes changed his bowlers around intelligently, keeping the intensity high. And so, Australia slumped to 123 for 9 at close of play, still 49 runs behind England despite all their batting depth.

Ben Stokes led by an example

But the real turning point was Ben Stokes himself. Leading from the front, the skipper produced a spell of fast bowling that was simply stunning as he finished with figures of 6-1-23-5.

It was a special moment as he became the first England captain in 43 years to take a five-wicket haul in an Ashes Test. 

His victims included some of Australia’s key players, like Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland.