ICC World Cup 2019 | This is our World Cup and we are going to go about it how we want to, says Ben Stokes

Stokes single-handedly led England’s fightback against Sri Lanka and Australia but lacked support from the other end. England were red hot favourites going into the World Cup but seven games down the line and their semi-finals hopes are now in jeopardy.

Stokes emphasised the kind of expectations and backing their fans have given in the last few years and the recent losses have not hampered their hopes of winning the trophy for the first time.  

“This is our World Cup. We’ve had great support over the last four years and we know how much the World Cup means to fans and we know that as players as well. It’s one of the biggest times and greatest times to be a cricketer, which is to represent your country at a World Cup. But we are not going to take a backwards step and, as I’ve said, this is our World Cup and we are going to go about it how we want to,” Stokes said, reported PTI. 

Stokes almost carried the team over the line against Sri Lanka but wickets kept tumbling at one end and denied Stokes a chance to take control of things while being on the brink of a win. Against Australia, he was battling it out but a deadly Yorker cleaned him up while batting on 89. 

“I think it’s just disappointing, losing. Everyone tries to go out there and play knocks to get over the line for the team. It always feels nice getting runs and stuff like that, but it counts for nothing when you can’t get over the line,” said Stokes.

“But normally we have two or three guys in the order who can do that. We have to really dig deep in these last couple of games here, not go back on how we know we play well.