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Captain Ben Stokes admits England are “absolutely devastated” after Australia secured victory by two wickets on day five of the Ashes to take a stunning Test match at Edgbaston.
It had looked ominous for Australia, who were 227-8 and 54 runs away, but captain Pat Cummings and Nathan Lyon formed a formidable partnership to add an unbroken 55 as Australia reached their target of 281 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Reflecting on an incredible Test, Stokes told the BBC: “Unbelievable. That’s why you play it. I think in terms of everything we have spoken about constantly for a long period of time. It came down to the end of today. Everyone was on the edge of their seat.
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“We are not a results-driven team. We are, of course, absolutely devastated. The lads are in pieces up there. But if that’s not attracting people to the game we love then I don’t know what will.
“You have never won a game until you have won it. It was still massively in the balance. We had to come up with different ideas, keep changing things. And it just comes down to small margins in the end. A few chances go our way, there were a few drops as well. But we have four matches to go.”
Early rain and a wet outfield meant action couldn’t begin until 2.15pm. England made a bright start, making the breakthrough 25 minutes after play started when Scott Boland was edged behind on the drive by Stuart Broad and it flew through to Jonny Bairstow.
Moeen Ali soon had the England crowd on their feet when he found the edge, surprising Travis Head who played back, straight to Joe Root at first slip as England claimed a big wicket at an important stage of the game.
Ollie Robinson provided another breakthrough as Cameron Green brought the ball back onto the stumps. Captain Ben Stokes bowled Usman Khawaja for 65 in his second over with an attempted leg cutter as England’s confidence grew. Khawaja connected with an inside edge and dragged it onto his own stumps.
Stokes’ decision to delay the use of the second new ball was rewarded when Root caught Alex Carey – before Cummins managed to exert some control for the tourists with two sixes.
With Australia now closing in on the win, Stokes came agonisingly close to dismissing Lyon with a flying catch.
Australia withstood the pressure and with just three runs required, there were joyous scenes for the tourists when Cummings steered down a short ball from Ollie Robinson and it escaped a fielder at the boundary for four to complete an unbeaten 44 and wrap up victory.
Undoubtedly, Stokes’ decision to declare on 393-8 on day one will come into sharp focus, but the England captain has no regrets.
“I thought that was a time to pounce,” he said.
“I am not going to change the way I have gone about my cricket because it is the Ashes. Who knows we could have got an extra 40 runs or lost two wickets in two balls. I am not a captain who gets by on what ifs.
“We were in control of most of the game and managed to produce a result. Obviously we wanted to be on top. We are devastated but that’s sport. It is great and an emotional rollercoaster.”
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