After England fell behind 2-0 in The Ashes, questions were raised about their poor fielding and reckless batting. However, Ben Stokes’ team managed to rally and draw the series 2-2, and they could have even won it if it hadn’t rained during the final two days of the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford. Although they didn’t regain The Ashes, England entertained the audience by combining their Bazball style with results against the world Test champions.
Head coach Brendon McCullum praised the team’s growth and their adoption of the style of cricket they wanted to play. Ricky Ponting and Nasser Hussain also expressed positivity about England’s future. Ponting believed that England showed self-belief and have learned along the way, while Hussain highlighted the subtle tweaks they made to improve their performance.
England’s entertaining yet winning approach throughout the series has been widely appreciated. The matches were played in a great spirit and provided pulsating entertainment from the first ball to the last. Ponting felt that 2-2 was a fair result and expressed faith in England’s young team, emphasizing that they have the potential to get even better.
England’s focus now turns to India, where they will play five Tests in January and March. This will be preceded by white-ball cricket for the 50-over World Cup in India and a limited-overs tour of the West Indies. Captain Ben Stokes, who hopes to resolve his knee problem, will lead the team in India. James Anderson, despite a lean Ashes series, intends to continue playing Test cricket and hopes to be a part of the tour to India.