A day after the culmination of the hard-fought Ashes 2023 series, England skipper Ben Stokes rubbished the reports that his team rejected Australia’s offer to have a traditional post-Ashes drink session following the fifth Test at the Oval.

The Australian media outlets slammed the English team for refusing to have a drink with the Australian cricket team after the series ended at 2-2.

Foxsports.com.au quoted a source close to the Australian team saying that England had no desire to do so.

On the other hand, Sydney Morning Herald quoted an England team spokesman saying it was just a misunderstanding.

“It’s a great shame that a drink wasn’t shared and the opportunity of looking back on an epic series,” the spokesman said. “We then did our end of Test wrap up, which included a number of presentations to our retired players and staff.”

Taking to micro-blogging site X, Stokes cleared the air as he wrote: “To clarify… Our wrap took longer than expected because of multiple last time event’s. We decided to meet up in the night club rather than the dressing room.”

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.