Ben Stokes Celebrates Historic Test Victory for England at MCG
A Special Win for England
Melbourne, Australia - England's captain Ben Stokes described the team's recent victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as a remarkable achievement, marking the end of a 15-year drought for Test wins in Australia, as reported by a leading sports media outlet.
After successfully chasing a challenging target in the fourth innings, Stokes reflected on the tense final moments, admitting that the last ten runs felt particularly daunting after his dismissal.
"It was an incredible feeling. When I got out, those last ten runs seemed so far away. I really didn't want to return to the dressing room and watch the game on delay. It was just an awesome feeling," he shared.
Stokes acknowledged the significance of this win, especially after previous tours that did not go well, stating, "To finally come out on the winning side after such a long time is truly special."
The moment was made even more memorable as the entire squad gathered to celebrate together, a release of emotions years in the making.
"When all the boys came out of the dressing room for a hug, we felt like we had finally achieved something. It was a great feeling," he added.
On a pitch that provided challenges for bowlers, England adopted an aggressive strategy in the fourth innings, which Stokes believed was crucial against Australia's formidable bowling attack.
"We had to approach the chase with the mindset of putting pressure on from the very first ball," he explained.
Stokes praised the opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, crediting their 51-run stand as a key factor in the successful chase.
"As Zak and Ben built their partnership, the fielders started to retreat, allowing us to rotate the strike effectively," he noted.
He emphasized that it wasn't just the boundaries that contributed to the chase; it was also the singles and twos that made a difference.
England's tactical adaptability was evident when Brydon Carse was promoted to No. 3, a strategic move to counter the new ball's threat.
"The wicket was tricky, especially with a new ball. We decided to send someone talented with the bat to get a quick 20-30 runs, which would be significant in a small chase," Stokes remarked.
Although the strategy didn't fully materialize, it helped pave the way for Jacob Bethell, who impressed with a composed 40 runs off 26 balls under pressure.
"I was really impressed with how he constructed his innings," Stokes said.
He highlighted Bethell's courage, particularly his ability to disrupt the bowlers' rhythm, notably hitting Scott Boland over the covers right after the Tea break.
"You have to be brave and bold in your approach, especially on a wicket like that," he added.
Beyond the immediate victory, this win holds greater significance for a team that blends seasoned players like Joe Root with newcomers like Josh Tongue and Bethell.
"We all share the satisfaction of winning a game here, especially as it was a Boxing Day Test match, a major sporting event we are fortunate to participate in," he noted.
Stokes expressed pride in the team's achievement, stating, "We are very proud to have secured this win."
He also commended the bowling unit's evolution, despite the absence of experienced bowlers like Mark Wood and Jofra Archer during the tour.
"I have been very pleased with how different bowlers have stepped up in crucial moments. I thought our bowling attack performed exceptionally well this week," Stokes remarked.
He particularly praised Josh Tongue, who took seven wickets across both innings and was named Player of the Match.
"He possesses a natural wicket-taking ability that is rare. He should be proud of his performance, having bowled long spells and backed it up effectively," Stokes added.
Despite the historic nature of this victory, Stokes emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming challenges, stating, "We won't let the feeling of this win linger longer than necessary. We'll approach the Sydney match with the same mindset we had for this game, aiming to win again."