Ben Stokes was an elated captain as England registered a 49-run victory over Australia in the fifth and final Test at The Oval to level the Ashes 2-2 on Monday (July 31).
Chasing 384 to win, the visitors got off to a brilliant start as the duo of David Warner and Usman Khawaja added 140 runs for the opening wicket.
However, game-changing spells by Chris Woakes (4-50) and Moeen Ali (3-76) on the final day denied Australia their first Ashes win away from home since 2001.
“Feel really good. 2-2 is a fair reflection at the end of the series. Australia, WTC champions, absolute quality team. Don't think many teams would've been able to respond like we did after being 2-0 down. Very proud of the entire team and the effort they put in,” Stokes said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Having played a lot of cricket here, you know what it's like in the 4th innings. Australia played really well yesterday but turning up here and knowing that you still need 250 runs is really tough. The wickets came in clusters like they usually do. Our mentality was great. Real good, the way in which Woakes has come in. Not only with the ball but also with some crucial runs. He did an amazing job in the first two Test matches he came in. Wood could barely walk today, he was very sore but he gave it his best and still said he was ready to bowl,” he added.
The Oval Test also marked the international retirement of one of England’s finest fast bowlers of all time – Stuart Broad, who also returned with a couple of wickets on the final day to finish with 604 scalps in the longest format of the game.
“I've played with Broad for a long long time, he's been an unbelievable performer for England. To watch him has been amazing. There was no doubt he was going to pick up those two wickets,” Stokes stated.
The England skipper was effusive in praise of all-rounder Moeen Ali, who came out of Test retirement after first-choice spinner Jack Leach got ruled out of all five Ashes Tests due to back injury.
Moeen, who finished the Ashes 2023 with 180 runs and nine wickets, also confirmed his Test retirement after the win at The Oval.
“Moeen came in after an unfortunate injury to Jack Leach. I picked him because I knew what he's capable of. He was just incredible. We'll let Moeen reflect on everything and make his decision about the India series,” Stokes said.
Ben Stokes hoped that Ashes 2023 has managed to inspire a new generation to take up the sport.
“What a series this has been. We've been very vocal about keeping Test cricket alive. This series has been amazing, its 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,” he concluded.
