Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes. Credits: England Cricket/Twitter

Opening batsman Alex Lees credited Ben Stokes with a game-changing spell. He claimed that England’s skipper had cut India’s lead by at least 50-70 runs, giving England the advantage on Day 4.

Lees’ strong start aided England in the fourth innings as they chased the mammoth target of 378 set by India’s Jasprit Bumrah.

Alex Lees, ENG vs IND
Alex Lees (Credits: Getty)

The opening player demonstrated that everyone in the dressing room was quite confident in their ability to chase down the target and that they understood the importance of putting the India camp under pressure by scoring runs.

“Then, returning to the batting, I would want to discuss how we feel in the locker room. As you said, I believe everyone is fairly confident. The target is genuinely there, you know it is there, but it is virtually in the background, so we know we have to play aggressively to put the bowling under some pressure.”

Alex Lees
Alex Lees PC- Twitter

“To be honest, all we are trying to do is put pressure on the bowlers and get some runs. Although we are aware of it, as you say, we have not necessarily talked about it” Alex Lees stated.

‘Ben Stokes bowling brought us back into the game’:

Ben Stokes’ game-changing spell was credited by Chris Lees, who scored 56 runs off of 65 balls and spoke after the game. He claimed that England’s captain Ben Stokes was responsible for reducing India’s lead on Day 4 by at least 50 to 70 runs and giving England the upper hand.

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“Our bowling was the thing that got us back in the game. I believe Ben Stokes’ morning spell, during which he claimed four wickets, completely changed the course of the match. And during this Test match, will probably go down as the turning point for me.”

Ben Stokes-Virat Kohli
Photo Credit: (Twitter)

“We could have easily been chasing 450-500. (runs). So I think the bowlers, how they bowled that second innings, especially this morning, coming in overnight, I think that was the biggest turning point,” Lees said.

On the final day of the Test match, England seemed ready to attempt a record total at Edgbaston. With just 119 runs needed and seven wickets left, England was well-positioned for the game’s final day thanks to three half-centuries on Day 4.

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