The final day’s wash-out at Old Trafford left England feeling emotionless but they will need no stirring ahead of the fifth Ashes Test starting on Thursday, according to captain Ben Stokes.
England believe they would almost certainly have beaten Australia in the fourth Test to arrive at The Oval 2-2 but not a single ball was bowled due to rain on Sunday.
Australia had begun their second innings on Friday and were reduced to 113/4, before moving to 214/5 on Saturday when only 30 overs were bowled, needing 61 to make England bat again. They were saved by the weather, however, meaning Australia retain the Ashes whatever happens at The Oval.
Stokes said it had been a ‘bizarre’ experience.
“Leaving Manchester after the game was done, I’ve never left the field, never left a game emotionless,” Stokes said at a press conference on Wednesday. “It was a really bizarre feeling the way the game petered out because of the weather.
“You sort of look back and wish maybe we either got beaten or Australia managed to pull a draw off in that situation.
“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, walking out to represent my country, that’s all the emotion I need,” said Stokes.
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 incredible performances throughout the Tests but he’s also been very good at coming on with the ball and changing the game, which is something he’s done throughout his whole career,” 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 only managed four at an average of 76.
Anderson has made it clear he wants to continue his Test career. Stokes has no doubt he still has plenty to offer.
“James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game and he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago.”
‘Incredible tour’
For the second time in four years, Australia reach The Oval 2-1 up but via different routes.
“It’s a big one,” captain Pat Cummins said. “If we win this one and you look back, it’s been an incredible tour. We’ve played five games, we’ve won three and only lost one. It’s already a fantastic tour.
“But to go home winning the Urn would be phenomenal. It’s a final thing to tick off the list of titles to win for a few of the guys, who you never (know) if you’ll get another chance at it.”
Australia are likely to bring back off spinner Todd Murphy after he missed out at Old Trafford in place of Cameron Green. Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc appear to be fit.
Written with Reuters inputs
Today’s match
■ England vs Australia, Day I of fifth Test, The Oval, 3.30pm IST live on Sony Ten & Sony Ten HD
