The 2023 Ashes series came to a mesmerizing end as the fierce rivals, England and Australia, battled it out on the hallowed grounds of The Oval. The five-match Test series saw both teams showcasing their cricketing prowess, leaving fans around the world on the edge of their seats throughout. As the dust settled on the final Test, England captain Ben Stokes and his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins agreed that the 2-2 scoreline was a testament to the intensity and competitiveness displayed by both sides.
Stokes, beaming with pride, acknowledged the quality of the Australian team, the current World Test Champions. He praised his own team’s resilience, mentioning that not many sides could have made such a remarkable comeback after being 2-0 down in the series. The captain’s admiration for his team’s performance was evident as he applauded the collective effort that led to the enthralling draw.
Stokes hails Moeen Ali
One of the standout performers in the series was the ever-talented Moeen Ali. Having retired from Test cricket in 2021, Moeen returned for one last hurrah in the Ashes after an injury to Jack Leach. In a stunning display of skill and determination, the Birmingham-born spinner played a pivotal role, claiming three crucial wickets on the final day. Despite his brilliance, Moeen remained firm on his decision to bid farewell to Test cricket after this series.
However, Captain Stokes remains optimistic about Moeen’s future in the game, especially with the upcoming tour of India in February 2024. He expressed hope that Moeen would take some time to reflect and reconsider his plans for the India tour, as his exceptional talent and experience could be invaluable in such challenging conditions.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, English skipper Ben Stokes said, “Moeen came in after an unfortunate injury to Jack Leach. I picked him because I knew what he was capable of. He was just incredible. We’ll let Moeen reflect on everything and decide about the India series.”
Stokes calls Test Cricket pure
England’s resurgence in the series was nothing short of inspiring. After facing intense criticism and scrutiny for their style of play and approach to scoring runs in Test cricket, the team silenced the critics with their fighting spirit and unwavering determination. Stokes credited the series for attracting new fans to Test cricket, highlighting the timeless beauty and passion the format exudes.
“Coming into the series, if you look back a couple of weeks ago, would’ve been difficult for any team to bounce back from 2-nil down. What a series this has been. We’ve been very vocal about keeping Test cricket alive. This series has been amazing, it’s attracted so many new fans. It’s the purest form of the game and I absolutely love it. It’s hard to lose an appetite when you love Test cricket as much as I do.”, Stokes further added.
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