Ashes 2023: England captain Ben Stokes described the fourth Test draw as a ‘tough match’, Australia retained the Ashes

After the fourth Ashes Test ended in a draw that saw Australia retain the urn, England captain Ben Stokes said it was difficult to get a result after the visitors dominated most of the match. He said that he wanted to end the series on a high note with a win in the final Test at The Oval.

Australia retained the Ashes after rain completely disrupted play on the fifth day of the fourth Test at Manchester’s Old Trafford on Sunday. Australia were leading the series 2–1 and rain washed out the final two days of the Test, resulting in a drawn Test.

England would not be able to regain the Ashes even if they won the next Test and drew the series 2–2. “You know, it is hard to take (the match ending in a draw). The kind of cricket we played in the first three days and being on the wrong side of the weather, it’s tough. But it is a part of the journey. I think coming into this game, it was a do or die game for us. Even after getting them out for 320 and scoring 590, we could not do much. Stokes said in the post-match presentation, “We will be very proud to play the next game.”

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“Pope’s injury made us think about the composition of the team. I am very happy with everyone’s effort. I have been vocal about Crawley (Jack Crawley), what Jack does is changing the game, the way he plays and the way he takes on the bowlers. It was an incredible innings, we knew such an innings was not far away. Broad and Jimmy have been incredible examples. Broad likes the fight and he likes playing against Australia, he has a good record against them,” Stokes said.

Mixed feelings for Pat Cummins after being retained by Australia #AshesWhile Ben Stokes is not a fan of Reserve Day _ pic.twitter.com/3WoYioGShr— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 23 July 2023

On a closing note, Stokes said that he has no regrets about his first-innings declaration during the first Test at Edgbaston. “No (when asked about having any regrets about the Edgbaston Test). We know what the last game means to us as a team and we want to finish on a high. Want the crowd to come out and support us,” Stokes concluded.

Australia ended the Test at 214/5 with the help of Cameron Green (3 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (31 not out). Labushen scored his second century away from home and scored 111 runs in 173 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes. He fell behind England by 61 runs. No action could be taken on the fifth day. England needed five wickets to retain the Ashes and beat Australia by an innings, but it did not happen.

Earlier, in response to Australia’s 317 runs in the first innings, England scored 592 runs in their first innings. He had achieved a lead of 275 runs.