Ben Stokes the totem in Champions Trophy reboot of English cricket | Barney Ronay


England’s white-ball buccaneers start against Bangladesh on Thursday aiming to capture the hearts, minds and disposable income of the masses

Over to you then, Morgs, Stokesey, lads. No pressure. Just remember to play without anxiety, without pressure and without the fear of losing. Particularly – and this is very important – when you’re most anxious, when the pressure is on and when you really can’t afford to lose right now.

After a buildup of unusual intensity the Champions Trophy is upon us, with England’s team of white-ball buccaneers kicking off things against Bangladesh at The Oval on Thursday morning. The early signs are of course good. Players, coaches and surrounding hierarchy have had a distinct unity of purpose about them for the past two years, perhaps for the first time before a global 50‑over tournament.

Related: England offer Jason Roy chance to blast away doubts at Champions Trophy

Run hot for the next five games and this team really will start to gain the wider traction the ECB craves

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