This is My Toughest Time as England Captain - Stokes As England's disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia continues, captain Ben Stokes has candidly admitted that he is enduring the most challenging period of his tenure as national team skipper. Stokes, who took over the captaincy from Joe Root earlier this year, has cut a frustrated figure throughout the series, with England facing the very real prospect of a 5-0 series whitewash against their old rivals. Speaking after the third Test defeat in Melbourne, the 30-year-old all-rounder acknowledged the toll the tour has taken, both physically and mentally. "This is my toughest time as England captain, no doubt," Stokes said. "It's been a very difficult tour for us so far, and I'm not afraid to admit that." England's struggles in the series have been well-documented. Outclassed in all departments by a dominant Australian side, the tourists have consistently faltered with both bat and ball, their brittle batting lineup repeatedly collapsing under pressure. The team's woes have been compounded by reports of off-field indiscipline, with allegations of excessive drinking among the players. While Stokes was reluctant to go into specifics, he conceded that the extra-curricular issues have added to the burden he is carrying as captain. "There's no denying that there have been some off-field matters that have had an impact," he said. "As the leader of this team, I have to take responsibility for everything that happens, both on and off the pitch." The England skipper's candid admission comes at a time when scrutiny on the team has reached fever pitch, with former players and pundits questioning the team's preparation, tactics, and team culture. Some have even called for head coach Chris Silverwood's position to be reviewed, with the team's alarming decline under his stewardship. Stokes, however, has staunchly defended his coach, insisting that Silverwood retains the full backing of the players. "Chris has been a constant source of support for me and the rest of the squad," he said. "We're all in this together, and we know that we need to stick together and fight our way out of this difficult period." The Durham-born star, who has been one of the few bright spots for England in an otherwise dismal series, acknowledged that the team's poor performances have taken a toll on his own mental well-being. "It's been tough, no doubt about it," he admitted. "When results aren't going your way, it can be really draining, both physically and mentally." Stokes, who has been widely praised for his leadership qualities and his ability to inspire his teammates, said he is drawing on his past experiences to help guide the team through this challenging period. "I've been in tough situations before, both as a player and a captain," he said. "I know what it takes to dig deep and come through the other side." The England captain remains optimistic that his team can turn things around, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds they face. "We're not going to give up, that's for sure," he said. "We'll keep fighting, keep working hard, and keep believing that we can turn this around." As the Ashes series heads to the fourth Test in Sydney, Stokes and his beleaguered team will be desperate to produce a much-improved performance and salvage some pride from what has been a thoroughly disappointing campaign. With the pressure mounting and the future of several players and coaches in question, the England captain knows that the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the team going forward.