England's curve is moving upwards after a first series win in New Zealand in 16 years but the key for a HUGE 2025 will be to peak at the right time, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH
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A long Test year ended – how else? – with a characteristic show of defiance from Ben Stokes. As he reflected on his team’s 423-run hammering by New Zealand in the third Test at Hamilton, a result that narrowed the margin of England’s series win to 2-1, he was asked whether his latest hamstring niggle might oblige him to reassess his workload in 2025. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I ain’t holding back.’.
![[The England skipper will be 34 when England visit Australia and will have to be firing on all cylinders]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/14/93221423-14201907-image-a-17_1734446897646.jpg)
His insistence that injuries are just part of the athlete’s lot will reassure England fans who want him to play a central role in next year’s five-Test series against India and Australia – just as it will worry those who believe he must apply the handbrake if he is to nurse his body through a year that will define his legacy.
![[England face a huge year with the Ashes in Australia after the visit of India for five Tests]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/14/93236339-14201907-image-a-18_1734447158968.jpg)
Because if he is not to fit to play as a proper all-rounder come the first Test in Perth in November, England will face the nightmare of being unable to balance their side. An Ashes series in Australia permits no passengers. Their captain, who will be 34, simply has to be in the driver’s seat.
![[Mark Wood and Jofra Archer will be raring to return to the Test for the Ashes tour Down Under]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/14/93235647-0-image-a-13_1734446143724.jpg)
Stokes, who was due to undergo a scan in Hamilton on Wednesday, didn’t come out to bat as England were dismissed on the fourth afternoon for 234, with only half-centuries for Jacob Bethell and Joe Root, plus a quick 43 from Gus Atkinson, standing in New Zealand’s way.
![[Zak Crawley's dreadful series in New Zealand ended in a sixth consecutive dismissal by Matt Henry]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/14/93221409-14201907-image-a-19_1734447290243.jpg)
And he spoke of his emotions after hobbling off the field on the third afternoon of a game in which he sent down more overs – 36.2 – than in any Test for two and a half years. With the result immaterial to the outcome of the series, should he have taken it easy? It was like asking the Pope if he intended to quit Catholicism.
![[Ollie Pope threw away his wicket with a dreadful scoop attempt off the bowling of Henry]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/14/93236109-14201907-image-a-15_1734446799349.jpg)
