'I let the team down': Stokes reflects on Ashes

England vice-captain Ben Stokes believes he "let the team down" in the Ashes and he's aiming to make amends with some big performances in the West Indies.

Stokes' decision to end a six-month hiatus from the game and join the tour of Australia sent a wave of optimism through English cricket, with fans and teammates alike cheering the return of the star allrounder.

But he was unable to find his best form in a one-sided series, struggling to have an influence as the hosts dominated in a 4-0 thumping.

Stokes averaged just 23.60 with the bat, with a top score of 66, and managed only four wickets at a cost of 71.50 each.

The 30-year-old ended a chastening trip hampered at the crease and unable to bowl due to a side strain, but he offers no excuses as he prepares for next week's first Test in Antigua.

"Looking back on Australia, we've had some honest reflections, not only as a team but individuals," said Stokes.

"One of my reflections on the tour as a whole was that I personally felt I let the team down, with more than just performances," he said.

"I would have liked to have been in better physical shape when I was in Australia. 

"When I look back on it I felt I let myself down, but the thing that really grinds me the most and hurts me the most is that I let a lot of other people down. 

"I never want to feel that way again because it's hard when you sit down to reflect on the things that didn't go well in Australia.

"The only thing for us now is to be positive, because there was a lot of negatives in Australia and it was a crap place to be. 

"We've come here and wiped the slate clean. We can't live in the past. I know what I want to give to the team and I know what I have to do to deliver that on a consistent basis."

Stokes accepted that his long break from competitive cricket – to preserve his mental and physical health – had been a contributing factor.

"Obviously I had a long break which never helps. I couldn't do much in three or four months so I was always behind," he said.

"I don't think I came back too early. If I was to say that, it would be excuses.

"I was ready to go out there and there was no pressure put on me whatsoever from anybody. 

"I just wasn't me. I wasn't able to impact the game as I would like to or how I normally do and everything just seemed harder.

"You can't put your finger on something like that too easily."

Since returning from Australia, Stokes has taken the conscious decision to rededicate himself to the demands of Test cricket and to England's sizeable rebuilding job. 

He opted not to put his name forward for the recent Indian Premier League auction, where he would have been sure to attract big money offers.

"That was a big decision, to come out of the IPL and to make sure that I was able to give everything I possibly could to this Test team going forward," he added. "Test cricket is the most important for me."