Under Ben Stokes’ captaincy, England players promised “freedom” to help heal old wounds.

Ben Stokes will set his team free at the start of his England Test captainship after confronting the demons of the past.

A brutal and difficult winter in Australia and the West Indies will have left its mark on several players, but Stokes is determined to wipe the slate clean and remind them that failing is OK. If New Zealand gets off to a fast start at Lord’s and England is three down in the first hour, there will be no hairdryer treatment or tea cup smashing.

Instead, he has assured the first group of players who will accompany him to Lord’s this week that they have his long-term support.

“I just want everyone to feel free under my captaincy,” Stokes said. However, convincing people of this is much more difficult. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. How am I going to persuade these guys? I honestly don’t think we’ll be able to do it until we start playing. It’s all well and good saying it in the locker room, but it’s the reaction we give, especially when things don’t go as planned, that will get the guys to believe in the way we’re playing.” “There will be scars on everyone – Australia, the West Indies, and everything before that.” I didn’t run away from it. One of the first things I said to the team on Monday was, “We have to acknowledge that before we can move on.” Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum are both inspirational figures with unwaveringly optimistic outlooks. And it’s clear that they’re attempting to convey that message to their team at the start of the summer in order to boost their confidence.

“Everyone is very clear what me and Brendon see as the way for this team to progress,” Stokes told, “but it won’t happen overnight.” We must be very wise and prudent in our approach.