Stokes wants to take a leaf out of Kohli's book

Ben Stokes has achieved so much success for England in the last four years, helping them to a World Cup victory while becoming an unstoppable force in the Test format. His success both with the bat and ball has been a real revelation. However, injuries have been a constant in his career and the last two years have seen him being on and off the field for quite some time.

Now back in the national set-up, he has a chance to take the mantle forward in his own way and wants to set up an example for others. Not satisfied with what he did in the Ashes, Stokes wants to learn constantly and ensure England have their tails up in crunch situations.

"I would have liked to have been in better physical shape when I was in Australia. If you're not willing to keep learning you're going about it the wrong way. Even the likes of Virat [Kohli], he's constantly working on his game, never happy with where they're at," Stokes told the media in Antigua. 

Stokes made 236 runs at 23.60 in Australia but he was a real disappointment with the ball, having taken just four wickets at an average of 71.50. He suffered a side strain during the fourth Test and had to end his tour early but by then, England were already crushed by the Aussies. Someone who doesn't believe in excuses, Stokes stated that he wants to manage his workload better and ensure he can take the Test side forward in the absence of stalwarts like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.

"It's just that I could have been better. Obviously I had a long break which never helps. I couldn't do much in three or four months so I was always behind. I just wasn't me [in Australia]. I wasn't able to impact the game as I would like to or how I would normally do and everything just seemed harder. You can't put your finger on something like that too easily.

"Over the last couple of years, with how the schedule's been and all the cricket that gets played these days, I had a chance to have a good look at things going forward and when it came down to it, the real thing that got me excited and got everything going out of all three formats was Test cricket.

"That was a big decision to come out of the IPL, to make sure that I was able to give everything I possibly could to this Test team going forward."

England will take on West Indies on March 8 in Antigua.