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'While Stokes Is There...': Marcus Trescothick Optimistic about England’s Day 5 Chances at Lord’s

image-ljl20ivoBen Stokes and Ben Duckett, (AP Photo)

England's assistant coach Marcus Trescothick is confident in the team's ability to achieve a remarkable run chase at Lord's in the ongoing second Ashes Test against Australia. Trescothick expressed his belief during a press conference at the conclusion of Day 4, emphasizing the impact of Ben Stokes on the team's fortunes.

England was confronted with a daunting target of 371 runs, and the Australian pacers posed a threat to their top order, resulting in a score of 45-4. However, captain Stokes and opener Ben Duckett displayed resilience, forging a stabilizing 69-run partnership. 

By the end of Day 4, England had reached 114-4, leaving them with the task of scoring 257 more runs on an increasingly unpredictable pitch.

Trescothick acknowledged the team's awareness of their past achievements, particularly referencing the remarkable Headingley Test where Stokes played a pivotal role. As long as Stokes, along with the likes of Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow, and the lower-order batsmen, remains at the crease, Trescothick maintains an optimistic outlook regarding England's chances of accomplishing their target.

"We know the history, don't we? We've talked many times about Headingley and other occasions when he's held it together. While Ben (Stokes) is there, with Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow, and the tailenders, we're still pretty hopeful,"  said Marcus Trescothick after the end of Day 4.

In order to level the five-match Ashes series at 1-1, England must surpass the highest successful run chase at Lord's, currently standing at 344. The team finds inspiration in Stokes' unforgettable heroics during the previous Ashes series in 2019, where he played a sensational innings of 135 at Headingley, widely regarded as one of the greatest innings of all time. 

England hopes for a similar display from Stokes at Lord's, while Duckett, who narrowly missed a century in the first innings, aims to provide crucial support to his captain as they strive to etch their names in history.