Ben Stokes looking to make amends for England after ‘letting team down’ in Ashes

England vice-captain Ben Stokes believes he “let the team down” in the Ashes and is aiming to make amends with some big performances in the West Indies.

Stokes’ decision to end a six-month hiatus from the game and join the tour of Australia sent a wave of optimism through English cricket, with fans and team-mates alike cheering the return of the star all-rounder.

But he was unable to find his best form in a one-sided series, struggling to have an influence as the hosts dominated in a 4-0 thumping. He averaged just 23.60 with the bat, with a top score of 66, and managed only four wickets at a cost of 71.50 each.

The 30-year-old ended a chastening trip hampered at the crease and unable to bowl due to a side strain, but gives himself no excuses as he prepares for next week’s first Test in Antigua.

“Looking back on Australia we’ve had some honest reflections, not only as a team but individuals. One of my reflections on the tour as a whole was that I personally felt I let the team down, with more than just performances,” he said.

“I would have liked to have been in better physical shape when I was in Australia. When I look back on it I felt I let myself down, but the thing that really grinds me the most and hurts me the most is that I let a lot of other people down. I never want to feel that way again because it’s hard when you sit down to reflect on the things that didn’t go well in Australia.

“The only thing for us now is positive, because there was a lot of negatives in Australia and it was a crap place to be. We’ve come here and wiped the slate clean. We can’t live in the past. I know what I want to give to the team and I know what I have to do to deliver that on a consistent basis.”

Expanding on what went wrong for his