England cricket captain Ben Stokes is channelling powerful personal inspiration during the Ashes series in Australia, wearing custom-made shoes that pay a poignant tribute to his late father, Ged Stokes.
A Phoenix Rising from Personal Ashes
The first significant symbol featured on the Adidas footwear is a motif of the mythological phoenix, a bird famed for its ability to rise from the ashes. This resonates profoundly with Stokes, who has the same symbol as a major part of a tattoo on his right arm, which he had done following his father's passing.
'I've got a phoenix as a big part of the tattoo on my right arm, so it was something I was keen to include in the design,' Stokes explained to the BBC. 'I've had a long career in sport and the phoenix has come to signify my belief that whenever you're down, you can rise again.'
A Hand Gesture Steeped in Family History
The shoes also boast an illustration of the distinctive hand gesture Stokes performs during on-field celebrations, serving as another heartfelt nod to his father. Ged Stokes, a former New Zealand rugby league player, had a finger amputated during his own playing days.
'I think everyone knows the story of my dad injuring his finger... and having it removed but since he passed away, the hand gesture is a celebration I've done in memory of him,' Stokes added. This is not the first time the 34-year-old has honoured his father during an Ashes tour; he also wore a black armband on the first day of the last series in Australia in 2021, marking the one-year anniversary of his death from brain cancer.
A Captain's Leadership in a Formidable Challenge
Stokes will be hoping these deeply personal symbols provide extra inspiration as he leads England in one of his toughest tests as captain. The national side faces a daunting historical record in Australia, having not won a Test match there since 2011. The last three Ashes series held Down Under have resulted in a combined 13-0 defeat for England.
The responsibility for turning this record around falls heavily on Stokes and former skipper Joe Root. They are the team's most experienced batters, with the popular all-rounder being the only current English player to have scored an Ashes century away from home.
The series began with a bold move from Stokes, who won the toss for the first Test in Perth and elected to bat first. This was a departure from the 'Bazball' approach England has become known for, which typically involves a preference for chasing runs in the final innings. Australia's stand-in captain, Steve Smith, confirmed he would have made the same decision.
However, the first session proved challenging for the tourists, who went to lunch at 105-4. The early wickets included Joe Root out for a duck to Mitchell Starc, who took two more wickets, and Zak Crawley falling in the very first over.
The custom shoes are the result of a collaboration between Stokes, Adidas, and award-winning artist Jordan Dawson, bringing a very personal vision to life on the cricket field.
