Brisbane: England captain Ben Stokes has delivered a strong message to his squad following their heavy defeat in the second Ashes Test, insisting that his dressing room “is not a place for weak men.” The comments came after Australia secured a dominant eight-wicket win in the day-night Test in Brisbane, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Australia’s Michael Neser was the star of the match with career-best figures of 5-42, dismantling England’s batting lineup and setting up a straightforward run chase. Needing just 65 runs, Australia comfortably reached the target with Steven Smith (23*) and Jake Weatherald (17*) guiding them home.
While the defeat was not as severe as England’s two-day collapse in Perth during the first Test, the visitors were again outplayed across all departments. With remaining fixtures in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, Australia now sit firmly in the driver’s seat to retain the Ashes.
Stokes emphasised that England’s struggle is not about ability, but about failing to seize crucial, evenly balanced moments in matches.
“Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?” Stokes said.
“When we are on top we are great and when behind the game we are also very good, but when the moment is neck-and-neck we are not coming out on top enough.”
Stokes and Will Jacks provided some resistance with a 96-run stand in England’s second innings, but their progress collapsed quickly as the team lost 4 wickets for 17 runs after Jacks’ dismissal.
Reiterating the high standards expected under his leadership, Stokes issued a direct warning:
“There is a saying we use a lot — Australia is not for weak men,” Stokes told BBC Test Match Special.
“A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either.”
England now face a steep uphill challenge as they attempt to revive their Ashes hopes in the remaining Tests.
