Ashes 2023: England Skipper Ben Stokes Terms Fourth Test Draw As ‘Tough One To Take’, Australia Retain Ashes

England skipper Ben Stoke on Day 5 of the 4th Ashes 2023 Test in Manchester. (Photo: AP)

After the fourth Ashes Test ended in a draw, resulting in Australia retaining the urn, England skipper Ben Stokes said that the result is pretty hard to take after dominating the visitors for the majority of the match. He said they want to finish off the series on a high with a win in final Test at The Oval.

Australia retained the Ashes after rain completely ruled out play on the fifth day of the fourth test match on Sunday at Old Trafford in Manchester. Australia were leading the series by 2-1 and the rain prevented the play on the final two days of the Test, which resulted in a draw.

England will not be able to regain the Ashes even if they draw the series 2-2 by winning the next Test. “It is a tough one to take, you know (the match ending in a draw). The kind of cricket we played on the first three days and to be on the wrong side of the weather, it is a tough one. But it is a part of the journey. I think coming into this game, it was a do-or-die game for us. Bowling them out for 320 and scoring 590, we could not do much. We will have a lot of pride to play the next game,” said Stokes in the post-match presentation.

“The injury to Pope made us think about the structure of the team. I am very pleased with everyone’s effort. I have been vocal about Crawley (Zak Crawley), what Zak does is he changes the game, the way he plays and the way he takes the bowlers on. That was an incredible innings, we knew an innings like that was not far away. Broad and Jimmy have been unbelievable examples. Broad loves the battle and he loves playing against Australia, he has a good record against them,” Stokes added.

Mixed emotions for Pat Cummins after Australia retain the #Ashes, while Ben Stokes isn't a fan of reserve days _ pic.twitter.com/3WoYioGShr — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 23, 2023

On a concluding 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 Edgbaston Test). We know what the last game means to us as a team and we want to finish off on a high. Want the crowd to come out and support us,” concluded Stokes.

Australia ended the Test at 214/5, with Cameron Green (3 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (31 not out) unbeaten. Labuschagne smashed his second century away from home, scoring 111 in 173 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. They trailed England by 61 runs. No action could happen on day five. England needed five wickets to keep the Ashes alive and defeat the Aussies by an innings, but it did not happen.

Earlier, in reply to Australia's 317 in the first innings, England had scored 592 runs in their first innings. They had gained a lead of 275 runs.