AUS vs ENG: "It's A Tough Pill To Swallow" - Ben Stokes On Weather Dictating Outcome Of Test In Manchester

England captain Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment over the fourth Test match in Manchester ending in a draw due to rain, describing it as a tough pill to swallow. Ben Stokes stated that his team has managed to do wonders in Test cricket with their attacking approach.

England needed to take five more wickets to level the series, but no play was possible due to persistent showers on Day 5. The bad weather helped the Pat Cummins-led team retain the ongoing five-match Ashes series. The Australian team had a 2-1 lead after the first four Tests.

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The Weather Didn’t Help Us – Ben Stokes

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ben Stokes expressed frustration over how the weather dictated the outcome of the game.

“It is frustrating when the weather dictates the outcome of a game. It’s a shame. We did literally everything we could and the weather didn’t help us. It’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that’s the reason we sit here with a draw,” Stokes said.

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The England skipper praised his team’s performance on the field in recent times, highlighting that they became a memorable team.

“But I think what we’ve managed to do has already done wonders for cricket in England. I said in the dressing room that the reward for your work isn’t what you get, it’s what you become. I think what we’ve managed to become is a team that people will remember,” he added.

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2-2 Sounds A Lot Better Than 3-1 – Ben Stokes

The all-rounder expressed determination to bounce back and win the final Test match of the series, aiming to level the series at 2-2.

“As much as I would love to be an Ashes-winning captain, I want this to be a legacy team. Regardless of how the series ends up, people will always talk about us.”

“We have to get over the disappointment and focus on that game. It is a massive one for us and we know 2-2 sounds a lot better than 3-1,” he concluded.

The Ben Stokes-led team will take on the Pat Cummins-led team in the final match at the Oval in London starting on Thursday, July 27.