\n<\/p>\n
In a packed schedule, England have just finished a white-ball series in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Even if they had arranged a string of first-class matches in Australia, their opposition probably would not have been strong, given the ongoing domestic Sheffield Shield competition.<\/p>\n
Criticism of the build-up has come from past players on both sides of the Ashes divide.<\/p>\n
“Cricket has changed so much,” said Stokes. “Preparation is nowhere near as simple as it used to be. You could come out on a tour two months before the first game started.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been preparing for this tour not over the last three weeks, but putting a lot of thought and process into this for a few years now. I don’t know what else we’re expected to be able to do.<\/p>\n
“There are quite a few factors that go into why we can’t prepare how the has-beens maybe prepared in the past. It’s all changed. We’re very comfortable with how we prepare because we leave no stone unturned.”<\/p>\n
Stokes, 34, has not played since being ruled out of the final Test against India in the summer.<\/p>\n
He was superb in that series before sustaining the injury, which came after he put himself through a heavy bowling workload. Injuries have prevented Stokes from completing any of England’s past four Test series.<\/p>\n
However, he has been bowling at full pace in training, which he said he has been doing for two months.<\/p>\n
With Australia captain Pat Cummins missing the first Test because of a back injury, the eventual destination of the urn could be influenced by which skipper spends most time on the field, and Stokes said he is in a “good place” to get through the series.<\/p>\n
“That’s all I’ve been doing for last three months; making sure I’m fit and strong,” he said.<\/p>\n
“When the Test series starts, it’s about being sensible through the rest periods, about how much work I do, because I’ve been building up to get here now.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n