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Ashes 2023 | 'I Think It's What Test cricket Needed...,' Ben Stokes Reflects On Intense Ashes Rivalry

Yash Mittal

image-lkr859yyEngland Test captain Ben Stokes [Image- Twitter]

England Test captain Ben Stokes admitted in the post-match presentation that a 2-2 scoreline is a fair reflection of the state of both teams following his sides' thrilling series-levelling win at the Oval.

On a rain-affected 5th day, Australia endured a familiar collapse as they went from 3-264 to 334 all-out to give the hosts a face-saving win in the series finale.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes triggered the collapse and the final rites were done by outgoing seamer Stuart Broad, who picked up the last two Aussie wickets.

Reflecting on his teams' epic comeback after being 0-2 down, Stokes said that not many teams would have responded in such a ruthless manner.

He paid his tributes to Woakes and Mark Wood for their stellar performances with both bat and ball after being called-up for the last 3 Tests.

Stokes also lauded Moeen for his stellar effort while also stating that this Test series is exactly what the format needed.

"Actually feeling really good, 2-2 I think it a fair reflection of two teams going toe to toe. Australia, WTC champions, quality team. But going 2-0 down, I don't think many teams would have responded the way we did. Standing here pretty content with what we've achieved. Having played a lot of cricket, we know what it's like in a fourth-innings chase. Usman and Warner, they played incredibly well to walk off with the runs they did [yesterday], but turning up with 250 needed, you should never underestimate how hard that is. Wickets came in clusters, it was do or die, but it's been that way since the second Test," said Ben Stokes in the post-match presentation.

"The way Woakesy has come in and operated and added runs down the order has been really good. Woody has been brilliant, but yesterday and today, he could hardly walk. Huge amount of effort to get out there. To have people like that, who run in and run in, it's great to have. [Broad and Moeen] I've played with Broady for a long, long time. He's been unbelievable. To watch him come in and bowl the way he did, it was written in the stars that he would take the final wicket. Mo came in for Jack Leach, a few things were said about him. I chose him because I knew what he could do on his best days. To come out of retirement and perform, he's a great servant for England," he added.

"Hindsight never loses, does it. Coming into this series, to bounce back from 2-0 down, it would have been tough for any team. I said to Pat, what a series to be a part of. I think it's what Test cricket needed. We've been very vocal about our objectives, and I think this series has done that, it's attracted a new audience. Test cricket is the purest form of the game,'' he added.

The defeat at the Oval means that England will keep their record of not losing an Ashes series to Australia at home. But, Australia will again take the urn home by virtue of them winning the last series.