Ashes 2019 | The drawn result shows two evenly matched teams, opines Ben Stokes
England cricketer Ben Stokes has attested that the drawn Ashes 2019 series was indeed as a fair result as the two teams were equally good in terms of talent and competition. The hosts went on to win the fifth test, hence barring Australia from winning the Ashes after they retained the urn.
After Australia retained the urn owing to their win in the fourth Test match in Manchester, Joe Root's England made sure that the visitors didn't get to seal the series as well. The hosts put in all their efforts to secure a 135-run win over Australia in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval and England all-rounder Ben Stokes has suggested that the final Ashes result, drawn 2-2, was a fair result.
The 28-year-old left-handed batsman said that there's no room for "what ifs" or what could've been for England since they did Australia in the fifth Test after their hopes for claiming the urn was destroyed at the Old Trafford.
"I don't think you can ever look back and say, 'What if this happened', 'What if we'd done this differently'," Stokes said.
"I think it's just been a great series of cricket, to be honest. It's ebbed and flowed in certain areas throughout every game. I think that's shown in the end result with it being 2-2. There's been two very evenly matched teams and two very competitive teams, as Ashes cricket always is. I think everyone's been treated to another great Ashes series."
Reflecting back on England's historic one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley, guided by none other than him as he produced a remarkable unbeaten knock of 135, Stokes said it will remain a highlight of the series but it would've been special if only England got to lift the urn.
"It'll probably be something to look back on in a few years' time. You know the saying that you'd probably give it all back if it meant we ended up lifting the urn at the end. But I'll come to that innings in a few years' time. Everyone who has come into the Test team has put their hand up and shown they can compete at the highest level," he said.