Ben Stokes has hit back at criticism from "has-beens" over England's preparations for the upcoming Ashes.

England kick off a three-day game against England Lions on Thursday in their only fixture before facing Australia in Perth, with the first Test beginning on November 21.

Michael Vaughan, Ian Botham and Graham Gooch have each questioned England's build-up to that first Test at Optus Stadium.

England have been more accustomed to playing several warm-up games prior to previous Ashes series, but Stokes insists times have now changed.

"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. 

"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."

England have won the first Test on each of their five overseas tours under captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, despite the shortened build-ups.

"I don't know what else we're expected to be able to do," added Stokes, who has not played since injuring his right shoulder against India four months ago.

"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."

Sun's out, guns out

Current fitness level: Best mode

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 12, 2025

The in-house game with the Lions presents a chance for Stokes to build up his fitness ahead of the first Test with Australia next week.

Stokes was labelled "England's cocky captain complainer" in the Australian press last week, while Joe Root has more recently been targeted.

But Stokes was quick to brush off the jibes and hopes the less experienced members of the squad can do likewise.

"I was a bit gutted when they turned their attention to Rooty because I was waiting to see what the next headline about me was," Stokes joked. 

"But it's expected. That's part of being in Australia. It's another one of those things we're going to have to deal with.

"That's especially the case for some of the guys out here for the first time. It's letting them know it's probably what it’s going to be like. 

"It's not just stuff out on the field that can get you, it's also the off-field stuff. It's how you take it. You take it in your stride and laugh it off.

"There's maybe four or five of us who've been on a tour of Australia, so it's up to us to explain to [the others] and let them know what to expect.

"From my personal experience, coming to Australia for the Ashes is a lot different to anything else we play in."