Post by : Saif Rahman

Ben Stokes stood proudly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday, feeling both relief and pride for English cricket, rekindling emotions lost for over a decade. With a four-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test, England finally concluded a prolonged winless streak, marking their first Test success in Australia since 2011.

This triumph came amidst low expectations; England had already lost the Ashes series after three successive defeats and were under significant scrutiny. Injuries compounded their challenges, notably with Jofra Archer sidelined and Gus Atkinson suffering a hamstring issue early on the second day. Despite these obstacles, the team showcased remarkable courage and discipline.

After setting a target of 175 runs, Australia seemed poised for a win on a pitch presenting sharp movement and variable bounce, which made batting exceptionally arduous. Stokes commented that the pressure and conditions made the target feel much larger than it actually was.

Opting for an aggressive strategy rather than a defensive one, England’s batters managed to maintain a brisk scoring rate that disrupted the rhythm of Australia’s bowlers. This assertive approach gradually shifted the momentum in favor of England. Even as key wickets tumbled, the batters demonstrated resilience and reached their target late on the second day.

This victory held special significance for Stokes and senior player Joe Root, both of whom have faced disappointments in previous Australian tours. Stokes endured a whitewash in the 2013–14 Ashes series and returned to heavy losses in the subsequent tours. Root, too, had seen years of frustration. The win in Melbourne provided both men with a long-awaited personal and collective triumph.

England’s bowlers played a pivotal role by limiting Australia to just 132 runs in their second innings. Their disciplined performance kept the team competitive and made the chase feasible. The sudden collapse of the home team shifted the momentum entirely.

While England has achieved larger run chases before, Stokes stated that this one ranks among the most significant of his career. Given the challenging pitch, hostile environment, and intense scrutiny, the victory felt incredibly gratifying. He commended his players for maintaining their composure against Australia's formidable bowling line-up and for adhering to their game plan.

With England supporters cheering from the stands, Stokes took a moment to enjoy this significant achievement. Although the Ashes urn is still in Australia's possession, this win rejuvenated confidence within the England setup. After 15 long years, England finally celebrated a Test victory in Australia, marking a moment of joy for Ben Stokes.

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