England’s Ben Stokes reacts to ‘lucky enough to witness us play cricket’ remarks

England Test captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes reacted to Fox Cricket’s social media post, poking Stokes for his remarks he made during one of the episodes of a new three-part documentary series 'Ashes 2023 | Our Take' produced by England and Wales Cricket Board. His comments came after the fourth Test at Old Trafford (during last year’s home Ashes) ended in a draw due to rain interruption, with Stokes saying he said those words to inject confidence in the team.

So what did Stokes say?

With two days of rain spoiling England’s chances of winning the fourth Test and levelling the five-match series, which they eventually did after winning the fifth Test, Stokes revealed he said those words to cheer up the disappointment in the dressing room, bashing reports of him talking highly of ‘Bazball’ approach that made headlines since him becoming the Test captain.

In his rallying speech to his teammates, Stokes said, "Everything we've done up until now isn't going to stop because we haven't managed to win the urn back," said Stokes who, with men's team coach Brendon McCullum, has pioneered the 'Bazball' philosophy of always playing to win.

"The reward for our work isn't what we get but what we become.

"And what we have managed to do is we've managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket,” he continued.

Replying to Fox Cricket’ssocial media post, Stokes wrote, “Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh, but anyways rent free and all that 🫡”

With Test coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes coming together, England deployed an ultra-attacking approach, which the media calls Bazball. Although it did wonders for England in the first year, with fans worldwide talking highly of it, Bazball fell flat against the mighty Aussies last year, with England, despite all the resources, failing to win the urn.

Even against India on the away tour earlier this year, England lost four Tests after winning the first one in Hyderabad.

With them suffering heavy losses since the past year, Stokes and McCullum will aim to put England back on track, starting with the home summer (three Tests against West Indies beginning July 10).

Meanwhile, England will travel Down Under later next year for the away Ashes, something they haven’t won since 2011.

England’s last Ashes win came nine years ago at home in 2015.

(With inputs from agencies)