Perth: Don’t get Ben Stokes angry. Steve Smith’s plan to keep England’s fiery captain under control this Ashes series is derived from the Australians’ knowledge that riling Stokes doesn’t often end well for them.

“I think he’s done a terrific job with England over the past couple of years,” Smith said on Thursday.

“The style they play suits them, led by him and Baz [Brendon McCullum] obviously, so he’s done a great job and [is] potentially someone you don’t want to get too riled up.

“He’s had a few performances against us where he’s either taken the game from us or clawed it back. Hopefully we can keep him quiet.”

In the weeks leading up to this Test match, the advice has been heard a few times from both sides of the Ashes divide.

As England opener Ben Duckett told The Grade Cricket

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