Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)
The English team, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, is going strong in the fourth Test of Ashes 2023. The home side had a lead of 67 runs after the end of Day 2 play as they were 384/4 where English opener Zak Crawley made stunning 189 runs on Day 2 of the Old Trafford Test.
The former Sri Lankan skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, has made a big statement regarding the series result; he thinks if the English side is able to win the fourth Test at Manchester, then the Ben Stokes-led side will take the Ashes 2023 by 3-2. Sangakkara also thinks the Pat Cummins-led side just didn’t have any clue on Day 2.
“If England wins this Test then they are going to take the Ashes 3-2,” said Sangakkara while speaking on Sky Sports Cricket’s Ashes Podcast.
“With the ball, it’s been a long time since I have seen the Australians this perplexed on the field. Not knowing what to do, what fields to set and then bowling completely different from the fields set. It’s really affected them,” he further added.
“If this goes England’s way, three days before the next Test, the memories and scars will stay. England have recognised when they are ahead and they have accelerated and taken the game away,” concluded the veteran batter.
Kumar Sangakkara was amazed at the cluelessness of the Australian skipper and fellow players on Day 2 of the fourth Test-
Speaking of the series, Australia is currently leading the 2023 Ashes by a score of 2-1 where the home side won the last match by three wickets. To win the Ashes 2023, the English team has to win the remaining two games to lift the trophy because, in any other scenario, it will go to the Aussies.
Earlier in the Test, on Day 1 of play, the Pat Cummins-led side lost the toss and was asked to bat first. The Australian side lost their eighth wicket for 299 runs in the 82nd over and was bowled out the next day in the morning session. Interestingly, if they win Ashes 2023, they will become the first side since Don Bradman led the 1936-37 Ashes to win the series after trailing by 2-0.