Every player in an England and Australia shirt is a massive advocate for Test cricket to stay alive: Ben Stokes

England Cricket team. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Ashes has been a series that has rarely disappointed people over the years. This year’s edition of the Ashes was no different as England and Australia threw their best shots at each other and the series eventually ended at a 2-2 stalemate. After winning the first two Tests, Pat Cummins-led Australia were within touching distance to retain the urn. But, the home side came back strongly to win the third and fifth Tests in Leeds and London, respectively, to square the series. However, the drawn fourth Test helped the tourists to take the urn home.

England captain Ben Stokes was pleased with how the closely-contested series went about and felt that the thrill-a-minute encounters were just what the purest format of the game needed.

“I genuinely believe this is what Test cricket needed, Every player in an England and Australia shirt is a massive advocate for Test cricket to stay alive. We have been very vocal about that being an objective in the way we play and I think this series has really done that. It has captivated so many new fans and attracted a new audience. Test cricket is the purest form and I absolutely love it. I hope this series has got it even bigger,” Stokes was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

“Two high-quality teams going at it toe-to-toe has been something you couldn’t take your eyes off. I look back to 2005 and what that series did for me as a young person, and I really hope there’s someone who’s the age I was then who says: ‘That’s what I want to be doing,'” he added.

I don’t think many teams would have been able to respond from 2-0 down: Ben Stokes

The talismanic all-rounder heaped praise on his teammates for making a comeback after losing the first couple of Tests. Ben Stokes said he was proud because England could walk the talk and put on a show against the World Test Champions after being down 0-2.

“I don’t think many teams would have been able to respond from 2-0 down [like we did]. I am incredibly proud of everyone’s efforts. We have been do or die since the second game and that really suits us. We didn’t shy away from the momentous event The Ashes is. We talked the talk and we’ve also walked the walk out there.

“In a do-or-die situation, most teams can shy away from it, but I’m very proud of this whole team and what they have accomplished over these weeks,” Stokes said.

Stuart Broad, who announced he would retire after the fifth Test, took the last couple of wickets on Day 5 to help England win by 49 runs and end the series 2-2.