England captain Ben Stokes said he “couldn’t be more proud” of his team bouncing back from a tough week to win an incredible two-day Test at the MCG and their first win in Australia since January 2011.
England lost the Ashes series within 11 days with a 3-0 loss to Melbourne, but had to respond to accusations of a drinking culture after a break in Noosa between the second and third Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide respectively.
A social media video has surfaced showing hitter Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated.
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Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton reflect on England’s ‘extraordinary win’ against Australia, ending England’s winning streak in Tests in Australia at 18
However, Stokes was pleased with the way his team focused on the task at hand, with a four-wicket win in the fourth Test, ending any chance of a 5-0 whitewash.
After dropping 36 wickets in 142 overs on a packed pitch to end England’s Test winning streak Down Under with 18, the captain said on the BBC’s Test Match Special: “I couldn’t be more proud as a captain for the way we held up as a team and as individuals given everything we had to deal with in this game.
“It’s a very proud moment, knowing how tough this tour has been. I’m very happy to get this victory, which I’ve been waiting for for a long time.”
“As a leader of a sports team or an organization, you are tested in many ways, but it was a test of character and a test of leadership qualities.
Stokes said England finally got the result “when it mattered most”.
“How we approached it was not just in public, in terms of all the media and things like that, but also behind the scenes… It was important that everyone’s focus was on cricket.
“It would have been very easy to concentrate and pay attention to everything outside the dressing room.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is what we need to do there. I’m very proud of this group and I’m proud of certain individuals.”
“When the pressure was on and it mattered, we were able to stand up and deliver something good.
“Honestly, we haven’t been able to do that in previous series, so I’m excited about what we managed to achieve here.”
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The win was Stokes’ first in 14 attempts in Australia and Joe Root’s 18th, the captain added. “When all the players came out of the locker room, we just gave each other a little hug and said, ‘We finally won one.'”
I was very happy about Stokes. It was a difficult build-up for him, but I was very impressed with the way he handled it. He basically put his arm around the team and said, “I’ll support you no matter what.” Even if he lost the series, there was always something to play for, and his team showed they were committed to playing for him.
Michael Atherton on Sky Sports Cricket
“Joe and I have been here a few times and ended up on the wrong side a few times, so to be on the right side after so long is a very special feeling.
“I’m sure a few words may be said about it. We know Australia is a very difficult place to win a game, let alone a series.
“It’s going to be another four years before we’re back here, but there won’t be a narrative of not winning games. It’ll be back to zero now.”
England fans were able to witness rare moments of success on the tour, following eight-wicket drubbing in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run comeback in Adelaide.
Stokes added in his presentation: “I hope this means a lot to our fans. The support we always get is very special.
“There’s always noise and the players hear it, they know it, they feel it. It means a lot to us as players and it’s going to give the fans a headache in the morning.”
England beat Australia in two days of amazing Melbourne Test
Stokes praises England’s ‘courage’ as Bethel ‘showed character’
England rounded Australia for 132 early on the second day, setting them up for victory at 175 in the fourth innings, reaching that target in 32.2 overs while rattling at a run rate of 5.50.
Duckett hit 34 off 26 pitches, stringing together a stand of 51 on 42 throws with opening partner Zach Crowley (37 off 48), while Jacob Bethel top-scored with 40 off 46 pitches in the second innings for Ash, who was sent off for one pitch on the opening day.
Bethel was replacing Ollie Pope in the England side at the MCG.
Jacob Bethel hit 40 off 46 balls on the second and final day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG
“The cricket was short and sharp. We tried to take an aggressive approach in a bowler-friendly game and chasing 175 was the right way to go,” Stokes said.
“You can’t get the ball to a good bowler at a certain length. And the way we fought that was brilliant. We showed courage, it was brave. The partnership they were able to build was extraordinary.”
“Beth (Jacob Bethell) played a decisive knock in difficult conditions and showed the class we see in him.”
England will now aim to win the final Test in Sydney from January 4 and limit the damage to 3 wins and 2 losses in the series. Stokes told the BBC: “There is still one game left, but our focus remains on that. We want to get a result in our own way.”
“We have no intention of continuing to channel this feeling of victory any longer than necessary.”
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