After winning the world cup, The Ashes will be their next target.
After winning the world cup just days before, Ben Stokes has his eyes set on their next tournament - The Ashes. He was a, if not the key player that led England to their first cricket world championship. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 84 runs in the game that saw a tie after regulation and Super Over.
Monday was a dream come true for Stokes, who had bleary eyes as the England cricket team paraded the trophy in front of hundreds of fans. “I’ve woken up in better conditions, but it’s an incredible feeling,” said Stokes who was also named Man of the Match.
“We would have been devastated if we hadn’t managed to lift that trophy but looking back over that game, I think it will go down in the history books as the best ever, with all the drama of a World Cup final… It’s an amazing thing to be part of.” It will be the second time that England hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup and The Ashes since 1975.
Before England face Australia in The Ashes, they will have a one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s. Australia will be looking for a series win while playing away from home. “We may be world champions but also want to be Ashes winners as well,” added Stokes. “Everyone here deserves to feel like a champion because we’ve just won it but when it comes to the Ashes, it’s going to be heads on again because it has to be… Whether you’re winning or losing games, you’ve just got to wipe the slate clean.”
Recalling Stokes’ performance in the World Twenty20 Final in 2016, he gave up four straight sixes in the last over which cost England the game. Following this, he missed the 2017-2018 Ashes because of a brawl in a bar in Bristol. He was charged but then found not guilty. Speaking about this incident, Stokes said that “that’s all gone and forgotten. It’s about now and what goes on in the future. I’m just going to enjoy this moment.
The Ashes is a Test cricket match played between Australia and England. To find out more about the different cricket leagues, visit Betwala's page.
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