Ben Stokes believes that for England to be able to lead a squad that can "not just compete with Australia, but beat them" in 18 months, the country's Test team growth must start in this summer's home series against the West Indies.

On July 10, England and the West Indies will play their first Test of the three-match series at the storied Lord's Cricket Ground.

"I'm not going to lie: I want us to be able to take a squad out there that I know is going to go at Australia. I'll be nearly four years as captain when we go out there. I want to be able to go out there knowing we've done everything possibly right over this 18-month period, to go out there with a strong enough squad to not just compete with Australia, but to beat them,” Stokes said.

"It's probably the first time you've heard me speak like that about something so far away, but again it goes back to our progression as a side. I want this team to progress over the 18 months, so I'm focusing on that, because I want us to go out to Australia and win the Ashes back,” Stokes added.