“There’s no point changing just because we’re coming into an Ashes series. I’m smiling because I’m looking forward to it. We want to go out there and score quickly. Speaking to former England skipper Nasser Hussain for Sky Sports, Stokes said: “We’ve been very clear with the groundstaff around England about what type of wickets we want and they’ve been very responsive to us, which is good. Having wowed home crowds with his aggressive approach last year, and continued in the same vein over the winter, he wants pitches that allow for more of the same with the urn on the line. Playing to traditional English strengths has often meant green-tinged surfaces that suit wily seamers and demand watertight batting techniques, but Stokes is fully committed to the dynamic brand of cricket that has defined his tenure.

Stokes revealed that the word had gone out to Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, Headingley and The Oval ordering the kind of quick, true pitches that will allow him to bring his favoured style of all-out attack to the old enemy. When the detective solves the case, the story goes dark, which is all the more reason not to race Miss Marple or Hercule to the finish line.England captain Ben Stokes knows what pitches he wants this summer (David Davies/PA) (PA Archive)Įngland have asked this summer’s Ashes venues to deliver the “fast, flat wickets” that captain Ben Stokes believes will give his side the best chance of taking down Australia. That’s, perhaps, why I’ve never gravitated toward Christie’s stories: her detectives are charming and brilliant, but her villains are rarely able to venture beyond motives of simple avarice or revenge for their murders. Clair’s life, and the lies he’ll have to continue to tell to retain his family, are the real substance of the story. The immensity of lies that are the foundation of St. In this mystery, a whodunnit itself - we have all the clues that Sherlock has, and there is precedent for the costumed begging that Neville makes his living on-the mystery doesn’t end with the revelation of the killer (or in this case, the lack of killer). Elisabeth de Mariaffi on not reading Agatha Christie.More from Naben Ruthnum, the paper's Crimewave columnist.Article content Recommended from Editorial This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.

A Prince of Pleasure by Hugh Stokes