England talisman Stokes hails new maturity as Ashes loom

England's Ben Stokes says learning not to try to "please everyone" helped him mature and regain the Test vice-captaincy ahead of the Ashes series starting this week.

The 28-year-old, fresh from playing a pivotal role in England's thrilling World Cup victory earlier this month, has been appointed as Joe Root's number two for the five-Test series against Australia.

The all-rounder was banned and fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board for bringing the game into disrepute following a street brawl in Bristol in 2017.

He missed five months of international cricket, including the last Ashes tour of Australia, before being cleared of affray in a court case in August 2018.

"One thing I have stopped trying to do is please everyone, which is probably a downfall I would look back on," he told the BBC.

"I'm not a different person. I think maturing is the best way of saying it and having a understanding of a lot more things."
"He doesn't have a yes man stood next to him -- I'll tell him what I think."