Stokes has been the focus of Australian media hostilities since arriving in Perth, with one local newspaper describing him as “England’s smug whining captain”.
Stokes and some other English players were also photographed on the golf course on Monday, in an apparent attempt to question the team’s preparations.
Stokes County coach, West Australian Ryan Campbell, criticized the headlines and questioned the logic of targeting Stokes ahead of the series.
“I got a little nervous about that,” Durham coach Campbell said. “I want WA to put on a good show. I don’t want that stuff.
“Everyone wants to say something intelligent. Many things have to be taken with caution.
“There are two guys I wouldn’t have a chance against: Ben Stokes and Joe Root.
“They are the calmest and are committed to giving back in spades. They choose their goals a little better.”
Stokes has already produced several famous Ashes moments, starting with a century in his second Test against Australia in Perth during the 2013-14 tour.
The most famous was his extraordinary match-winning century at Headingley in 2019 and spinner Jack Leach, his final batting partner that day, said he was inspired by Australia’s aggression during that knock.
“[David] Warner had been attacking him,” Leach said.
“He said [at the end of day three] “I’m not leaving the field until we’ve won the game” and he was really excited. “He obviously ended up doing it.”
Leach added: “[Root] It does it in a more silent way. He is, deep down, quite motivated for this.
“There’s been a lot of talk about him never scoring a hundred in Australia, so he’s got a lot to prove.”
