ASHES SERIES
England skipper ready for sledging over Ben Stokes
Perth — England captain Joe Root said his team were prepared to be sledged by Australia during the Ashes series, especially over Ben Stokes’s absence in the touring squad. Stokes was arrested in September after an incident on a night out in Bristol, following a one-day international. He was released without charge, but remains under investigation. England arrived in Perth on Sunday without the suspended all-rounder, who could join his teammates later. Root suggested the hosts would not let his men forget about the reasons behind their vice-captain’s absence. "Potentially, they might [sledge us about Stokes]," Root said. "But Ashes cricket — there’s always an edge of psychological banter. Once you’ve played in a few, you know what to expect and you know how it goes leading up to the games. I’m sure there will be plenty of banter flying around on and off the field. "That’s something you’ve got to cherish and relish and be able to look back on at the end of your career and say: ‘I gave...
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