Ben Stokes minced no words as he fired back at ICC after England were docked WTC points for maintaining a slow over-rate in the Lord's Test against India.

"Over rate isn't something that I worry about, but that's not saying that I purposely slow things down. I do understand the frustration around it, but I honestly think there needs to be a real hard look at how it's structured. You can't have the same rules in Asia, where spin is bowling 70 per cent of the overs, to have the same laws in New Zealand, Australia, England, where it's going to be 70-80 per cent seam bowling," said Stokes during a pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester Test.

"Because a spinner's over takes less time than a seamer's over. So common sense would think that you should look at maybe changing how the over rates are timed in different continents. I think as well, the over rates obviously have gone down over the course of quite a few years now. There are times in games where it's all on the line, and you won't just throw the ball to a spinner to get your overs round. You're not playing an international game where you're just trying to get your over rate back. I don't think people want to come and watch that," he added.

Stokes also stated that his team will respond in kind to any aggression from Indian players in the fourth Test starting from Wednesday.

"I don't think it's one of those things where we're going to necessarily just go out and start at (sledging). I don't think either team's really looked to do that. I think there's always going to be a moment in a Test series where something does heat up. It's a massive series and there's a lot of pressure on both teams to perform," Stokes said on the eve of the match at Old Trafford.

It might have been an organic reaction to a particular situation, but Stokes hinted clearly that aggression from the rival camp will not be taken lightly.

"As I said, it's not something that we're going to purposely go out and look to start because then that will take our focus off what we actually need to do out in the middle. But by no means, we're not going to take a backward step and let any opposition try to be confrontational towards us.

"And not try to give a bit back. I think that goes for most teams, to be honest anyway. So, it's not like we're the only team who does that. But the series has been great to play. It has been great to watch. All five days, all three Tests so far. Quality of cricket has been outstanding," he added.