New Zealand vs England: Ben Stokes admits putting ‘too much emphasis’ on Ashes

England captain Ben Stokes has admitted he put “too much emphasis” on next year’s Ashes in Australia and will now be “toning down expectations”.

At the beginning of the home summer, Stokes explained an overhaul of his team, including the retirement of James Anderson, was done with the Ashes in mind.

Before they travel down under next November, England have the final Test in New Zealand, a one-off match at home to Zimbabwe in May and a marquee five-Test series hosting India.

“In interviews in the summer and stuff like that a lot was pointed towards the Ashes, which was a long way away,” said Stokes.

“You do always have one eye on that but we have six more Tests before that.

“It’s just making sure I keep my focus on being in the here and now and what we’ve got coming up, and when the Ashes is our next series, then we will focus on it.”

England start their 17th, and final, Test of 2024 in Hamilton on Saturday (22:00 GMT Friday) with the chance to become only the third visiting side to win a three-match series 3-0 in New Zealand. Just once before, in 2016, have England played 17 Tests in a calendar year.

After a number of players opted to drive north from second-Test venue Wellington, England did not name a team on Thursday and will instead wait until Friday’s training session.

Stokes said he expects Harry Brook – the world’s new number-one Test batter – to be fit after an ankle problem, but hinted at freshening up the pace-bowling attack.

“Even though we finished early in Wellington it felt like all the overs from the seamers were more than the scorecard because of the weather,” he said. “The lads put in tough graft, so we’ll see how they pull up.”