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Ashes 2019 | We’ll have a bloody good night to celebrate, then back to winning the Ashes 3-1, says Tim Paine

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Australia captain Tim Paine admitted that the Aussie camp will be out to have a major night of celebration after their 185-run win at Old Trafford ensured that the Ashes will return home with them. An emotional Paine, however, wants his team to be back ready to win the final Test at The Oval.

When the DRS confirmed that Josh Hazlewood had trapped Craig Overton plumb in front of the stumps, a mighty roar of the Kangaroos was heard all around the stadium in Manchester off camera. What followed were moments of raw emotion, joy, and relief as a small bunch of Aussies erupted into celebrations right inside enemy territory. And so when their captain – a man who has been at the receiving end of some scathing comments – expressed his feelings, he too was highly emotional.

"We're thrilled. This is what we came here to do, to take the Ashes home. We'll have a bloody good night together and celebrate, but we'll be back on deck next week [for the fifth test at the Oval]. We want to win the Ashes 3-1,” Paine told BBC.

"I didn't think it would be this emotional. I'm really proud of this group and how we bounced back from [defeat at] Headingley. The atmosphere, I was just saying to the guys, at every ground has been unbelievable. The noise they make here and the passion they have for cricket makes this moment all the more special,” he said.

Australia arrived in England having been humiliated in the semi-finals of the World Cup at the hands of their Ashes hosts. But as holders of the Ashes urn, they only needed to avoid a series defeat in order to retain the glory of the oldest rivalry in cricket. Given how well they’ve fared in the series thus far, they are well on course for more than just a draw – a first series win in England since 2001 is within touching distance now.

Amidst all the applause for what has truly been a spirited performance by the visitors, one man stood tall, way above anybody else in the entire series. The ICC’s No.1 Test batsman, and rightly so, Steve Smith has amassed 671 runs in just 5 innings at a stunning average of 134.20, with 211 and 82 in his two innings at Manchester.

"He's clearly the best player we've seen; there's no doubt about that. His ability to go anywhere in the world and score runs against all types of attacks is just phenomenal," Paine added.

However bleak the scenario may seem, all is not lost yet for the hosts, and as the fifth and final Test match of the series starts from September 12, the 50-over world champions will look to draw level in the series.

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