Ben Stokes has declared Australia's status as Test world champions will not stop his side from following through on their fearless approach to cricket in the Ashes.
The most entertaining team in world cricket over the past year, England have won 11 of 13 matches under Brendon McCullum and scored at the quickest rates in Test history.
But the team's free-wheeling approach will face its biggest challenge in the next two months, against a world-champion Australian side and the world's top bowling attack.
But in Stokes' mind, that is all irrelevant ahead of Friday's first Test at Edgbaston.
"We found a style and a way we want to play our cricket that has been very successful, regardless of the opposition," Stokes said.
"That's what we'll try and stick to.
"Conditions can dictate how you can do that, but we will always try and adapt to the conditions and still have that positive mode to try and go out as much fun as we can.
"And we'll always try and put pressure back on the opposition regardless of who it is. Not facing the man, facing the ball."
Stokes said he cared little for Australia's question marks over whether England could execute that approach against their attack.
"You get asked a lot if we're going to continue to play this way against whatever team or opposition," Stokes said.
"We've made it clear this is how England play their cricket against any opposition, because it has worked more often than not.
"I don't think there is going to be any question around how we are going to go out and try and play our cricket, even though it is against Australia."
Stokes said his players were as relaxed as ever on Thursday, clear in what they wanted to do and relieved the Ashes were finally on their doorsteps.
He has also handed them a massive boost, confident he will be fit to bowl in the opening Test after building up his intensity over the past three days.
Stokes' overs will be crucial in a bowling attack that includes a 36-year-old Stuart Broad and 40-year-old James Anderson.
England have left out their fastest paceman in Mark Wood to play the pair alongside Ollie Robinson.
But Stokes said Broad's 2019 Ashes against David Warner meant the seamer could not be left out, after he removed the opener seven times four years ago and had him averaging 9.5.
"I'd be lying if I said no (it didn't have anything to do with it)," Stokes said.
"Broady's record against Australia is incredible. It is very hard to look past someone like that in the opening game of a big series."
