Quotes from Ben Stokes

As players ourselves, to inspire other players to do what we do is awesome.

It's always been there, that competitive instinct... I just want to win.

Being an instinctive player is great but there's time in the past where I've let how I'm playing at the time affect me, thinking I can play some big shots and I'd be alright.

I fell off a wall in Cockermouth when I was 18. The slate on the top of the wall was loose and I tried to jump up and sit on it. I ended up falling backwards and the tile ended up falling back onto my hand.

It's all good being there for people when things are going well and smoothly but what really comes through is how you operate with someone when they need you the most.

I've had so many people say stuff to me. I meet them, have a chat for five minutes and they think they can say what they like. I used to laugh it off, but now I think 'why do you think you can say that to me? You don't know me.'

There are guys that you look at and you want to really bowl at them or bat against them, certain guys who really get your juices flowing.

You can never beat your own mind when it plays tricks on you.

I know I'm in a very fortunate position. I make a good living doing something I used to do for fun as a kid messing around in the garden. I'm in a fortunate position, so you try and give what you can, I guess.

Nothing good happens after midnight.

I think momentum is huge in sport, especially in a series like the Ashes.

I think 2019 will always have a special place for fans.

Being able to work with specialist coaches in Twenty20 cricket, I think my bowling has gone up another level.

I am extremely nervous before anything. People who say they aren't nervous are telling a white lie. Nerves get you going, as you are playing for so much at the highest level.

Never give up. It's never over until it's over.

What happens on the pitch stays on it. Off it you have to let it go.

I've been up and down the order. I'm just happy to get a game and wherever I'm told to bat or told to bowl I'll do it.

I sort of know my role with the ball but with the bat I've been up and down the order quite a few times.

After 2019, one thing that really stood out to me was, early on, not going too hard at the ball and allowing myself to get in without too much risk.

Being out there, as a 22-year-old, it opens your eyes up to the highest level of the sport. It can only do good things.

I used to love going out and celebrating with the lads. But we can do that in the hotel and I don't miss it. I don't feel that urge any more. Once you make the transition to not doing it then you don't miss it.

I don't need to be going out reverse-sweeping for six and four straightaway. Singles can be just as important as boundaries, rotating the strike and not letting the bowlers settle.

I like to be aggressive.

The Ashes are the biggest Test series played in the world.