Published: Aug 01, 2023, 12:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 01, 2023, 01:02 PM (IST)
ENGLAND picked up a thrilling win over Australia on Day 5 of the fifth Test by 49 runs to level the series 2-2. This was one of the best Ashes in a long time where the pendulum swung to and fro and there was very little to separate the two teams.
Meanwhile, a huge controversy erupted when several reports in the Australian media claimed that England players locked themselves in the dressing room and did not attend the traditional post-Ashes drinks with the Australians despite the visitors knocking on the doors several times.
Notably, England coach Brendon McCullum post the controversial Jonny Bairstow stumping in the Lord’s test had said that he will not be having post-series drinks with the Aussies.
England captain Ben Stokes reacted to the controversy and said that the two teams decided to meet at the nightclub as their wrap took longer due to the retirement of Stuart Broad.
“Our wrap took longer than expected because of multiple last time events. We decided to meet up in the night club rather than the dressing room,” said Ben Stokes while responding to a post by journalist Bharat Sundaresan.
Moeen Ali, who came out of retirement for the Ashes following the request from Ben Stokes, also confirmed that he will stay retired as a Test cricketer.
“That’s me done,” Moeen told Sky Sports. “If Ben Stokes texts me I’ll delete it.”
England captain Ben Stokes was mighty pleased with how the Ashes turned out and said that the series was just the boost Test cricket needed.
“I think that over the last seven weeks, in particular, we’ve managed to drag a new audience towards Test cricket. I think this series is genuinely what Test cricket needed. Two high-quality teams going at it toe-to-toe and the cricket has been something you couldn’t take your eyes off. Every session has been its own game. We’ve been in control, then Australia have been in control,” Stokes said after the conclusion of The Oval Test.
