Despite the close to certainty of England’s victory over Australia within the fourth Test, which might have introduced the sequence to a 2-2 tie, not a single ball was bowled on Sunday attributable to relentless rainfall.
Before the climate intervened, Australia had commenced their second innings and confronted a difficult scenario at 113-4. However, they managed to get better to 214-5 on Saturday after a mere 30 overs have been bowled, leaving them needing 61 runs to drive England to bat once more.
While the unlucky climate finally saved Australia, guaranteeing they preserve the Ashes whatever the final result at The Oval, England’s captain Ben Stokes believes that his group doesn’t require any further motivation as they head into the fifth Test beginning on Thursday.
Stokes mentioned it had been a ‘weird’ expertise.
“Leaving Manchester after the game was done, I’ve never left the field, never left a game emotionless,” Stokes mentioned at a press convention on Wednesday. “It was a really bizarre feeling the way the game petered out because of the weather.
“You type of look again and want perhaps we both received beat or Australia managed to drag a draw off in that scenario.
“Shaking hands with the umpires and the opposition at the end, you could see that from both sides, it was emotionless, Australia retaining the Ashes and us not being able to win it back. Two teams of professional athletes want to be out there playing against each other, doing what we do.
“It was a flat feeling.”
Stokes said the mood has now changed to wanting to finish a riveting series on a high and make sure Australia do not depart with a first series win in England since 2001.
“Putting the shirt on, strolling out to symbolize my nation, that is all of the emotion I want,” said Stokes.
“Everyone’s very aligned when it comes to what we wish to do. And I’m not somebody who speaks for the sake of talking. If I really feel I must say one thing then I’ll however I do not suppose I must this week, it is fairly apparent what we have to exit and do.”
England will be unchanged for the fifth test, meaning 37-year-old fast bowler Stuart Broad will have played in all five Tests and strike partner James Anderson, who turns 41 during the Test, will retain his place despite a lean series.
“He’s put in some unbelievable performances all through the exams however he is additionally been superb at approaching with the ball and altering the sport, which is one thing he is achieved all through his complete profession,” Stokes said of Broad.
While Broad is the top wicket taker in the series with 18, Anderson, the most successful fast bowler in test history, has struggled and has only managed four at an average of 76.
Anderson has made it clear he wants to continue his test career, even when others say he is on the wane.
Stokes has no doubt he still has plenty to offer.
“He’s not most likely had the influence and the wickets he would have favored within the sequence,” Stokes said. “Jimmy’s are available in for flack for that, but when Joe (Root) hadn’t scored the runs he would have favored he would not be questioned.
“James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game and he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com