Following their defeats in the opening two Ashes Tests in 2023, England found itself under extreme pressure. The team captained by Ben Stokes possessed the belief and the momentum, but they found it difficult to convert both into results. But the Three Lions pulled off a significant comeback to win the third Test in Leeds by a margin of three wickets. They needed to win both of the remaining games to win the urn and seal the series, but a stalemate in the fourth Test in Manchester destroyed their hopes.
England’s hopes of regaining possession of the urn were dashed at Old Trafford by rain. Ashes 2023 | Our Take, a three-part documentary series produced by the England and Wales Cricket Board, included Ben Stokes saying that although they were unable to complete the task, those who watched them play were fortunate because they never compromised on intent.
When the players were losing hope, Ben Stokes gave his teammates a speech full of encouragement.
The captain of England went on to say that the players’ character throughout trying times was the greatest reward. Though he was devastated that they were unable to win the urn back, he thinks the supporters would be pleased with their effort.
“Since we haven’t been able to reclaim the urn, nothing we have done thus far will cease. What we become rather than what we obtain is the true reward for our labour. And what we’ve done is create a sports team that will always be remembered by those who had the good fortune to watch us play cricket, according to a comment from Ben Stokes that was published on cricket.com.au.
“It’s going to hurt that we can’t get the urn back heading into the next game (at The Oval), and I know it’s going to be a little flat. However, we have accomplished something far more significant for this squad than any Ashes medal could ever represent: we have become the group that people will never forget,” he continued.
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The series finished equal as England won the fifth Ashes Test at London’s Kennington Oval by a margin of 49 runs.
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