The England cricket captain insisted it will be a "huge task" defeating Australia on their own turf, but he insists England are "in a good place" ahead of Friday's opener in Perth.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Definitely [the biggest series of our lives]. Everyone in the world, everyone in Australia and England, knows how big this is.

"I think if we were to come out and not accept that, and say 'it's just another series' we'd only be lying to ourselves, lying to the fact of what the series is. It's looking it in the eyes, taking it on and not being afraid of the challenge.

"We know it's a huge task coming to Australia and everything that comes with that on the field and away from the field. It is a huge two-and-a-half months for us.

"It's about letting everyone know what the expectations are going to be like, so it's not a huge shock and a, 'Woah, I didn't expect this to be like this'.

"We're in a good place. We've come over here to take the Ashes home, that's the end goal, and we have selected a squad we think will give us a great chance."

Stokes also admitted he is "desperate" to return from Australia as one of the few England captains to win an Ashes series Down Under.

He added: "For me personally, this series won't diminish anything I have tried to do or the time and energy I have put into the [captaincy] but it doesn't take away from how important I feel it is by itself.

"I am desperate to get that plane home saying I am one of the few England captains to win an Ashes series. "