England’s New Aggressive Mindset was on display even during Ben Stokes’ downtime. He spent four days resting in bed after bowling 44 overs during the Lord’s Test. But he didn’t let that time go to waste. While recovering, he binge-watched several movies and shows. First, he finished watching the entire first season of Landman on Amazon Prime. Then, he dived into the zombie world, watching 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. Now, he’s planning to watch the latest part of the series, 28 Years Later, in theatres this week.
Though a few of his England teammates have planned a cinema visit, Stokes might be the only one interested in horror films. Most of the others don’t share his love for the genre. But that’s typical Stokes, brave, intense, and always up for something that gives an adrenaline rush.
Back in 2022, during the one-off Test against India at Edgbaston, Stokes led a group to watch Baz Luhrmann’s movie Elvis. They admired the entertainer’s unique style and confidence. That swagger seemed to reflect in how England played cricket under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. They were bold, aggressive, and believed in doing things their own way. But now, in 2025, much of that showmanship has settled. Only a few signs of that old style remain, like the little-finger salute that Stokes and Joe Root still use to represent their inner “rockstar.”
Despite leading the series 2-1 against India, England hasn’t played with the same wild style they were once known for. The win at Lord’s came with one of their slowest scoring rates (just 3.31 runs per over), especially at home. Their earlier philosophy of putting entertainment first has now taken a backseat to winning, even if it’s in a less exciting way. Still, England’s New Aggressive Mindset is clearly visible in how they’ve changed their approach this summer.
Interestingly, there may be more to learn from the zombie films Stokes watched. The new movie, 28 Years Later, shows a society trying to rebuild after disaster. That could be a symbol of this England side, trying to evolve, learn from past mistakes, and come back stronger with England’s New Aggressive Mindset guiding their way.
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England’s New Fire: No More “Nice Guys”
There’s no denying that this England team has started playing with a tougher attitude. McCullum once said the team was being “too nice,” and Stokes agrees that something had to change. That comment led to a stronger on-field presence, with more verbal exchanges and aggression, something that even reached Shubman Gill’s pre-match press conference before the fourth Test.
Stokes made it clear they’re not trying to pick fights. But if things get confrontational, they won’t step back. “We won’t let any team walk all over us,” he said. “We’ll give it back if needed.” That’s a bold shift and fits right into England’s New Aggressive Mindset.
Some people might laugh at the idea of England being called “too nice.” After all, players like James Anderson (always ready for a verbal jab), Stuart Broad (his right-hand man), Jonny Bairstow (who often attracted drama), and Ollie Robinson (who never stayed quiet) had been part of this team. But those names are no longer in the current setup.
Now, new faces like Ben Duckett and Harry Brook have taken over the talking. Others like Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Stokes himself let their actions do the talking. At Lord’s, their intensity was visible. And it’s likely that things will get even hotter in the final Test at Old Trafford, where England’s New Aggressive Mindset will be put to the test again.
Of course, there’s always a danger of taking this aggression too far. That’s why England brought in Gilbert Enoka, the former mental skills coach for the New Zealand All Blacks. He’s known for his “No Dickheads Policy,” which focuses on team-first behaviour and keeping egos in check. Enoka is working with the England team this summer to help them find a balance between intensity and humility, an important part of managing England’s New Aggressive Mindset without losing control.
Culture, Code, and a Big Test Ahead
Stokes and McCullum have been in touch with Enoka since last year. They wanted him to help create a better team culture, one where every player’s choices affect the whole group. Enoka brought back a code, a simple guideline that everyone in the team could follow.
Stokes said, “It’s not just about you. Your decisions should be about the team. Having someone like Enoka, who worked with a legendary team like the All Blacks, really helps. It’s great to hear that we share a similar mindset.” His words reinforce how deeply England’s New Aggressive Mindset is tied to a strong cultural shift.
England’s new style mixes the old Bazball energy with a bit more focus and structure. It’s about winning the big moments, not just dominating the game all the time. And while they’ve won more crucial periods in this series than India, they know there’s room to improve. The next step in England’s New Aggressive Mindset is finding that perfect balance between raw energy and strategic thinking.
Now, as they head to Manchester, the big question is, can England find their perfect balance? Can they play aggressive cricket that’s also smart and controlled?
Old Trafford holds strong memories. In 2022, England bounced back there after a defeat by crushing South Africa in an innings. In 2023, they nearly pulled off a big Ashes win before rain ruined their chances. And now, in 2025, with England’s New Aggressive Mindset driving them, they have the chance to win their first Test series against India since 2018.
The setting is perfect. The players are fired up. The stage is set. With England’s New Aggressive Mindset at full force, all that remains is for England to deliver the big performance they’ve been building up to.
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