(Credit Reuters)
England Test captain Ben Stokes made a bold statement that has resonated widely. He asserted that his team’s legacy will endure in the memories of fans, emphasizing the privilege of witnessing their brand of cricket.
Under Ben Stokes’ leadership, England’s Test team has undergone a notable transformation, adopting an aggressive style of play in a format that tests skill, patience, grit, determination, and character.
Despite entertaining fans worldwide, Stokes’ tenure as captain has not yielded significant triumphs. While they have lost just one series under his leadership alongside Brendon McCullum, they have not secured any major victories either.
Following a drawn Ashes series and a subsequent 4-1 defeat against India, Stokes remained undeterred by the team’s failure to reclaim the Ashes at home. In a recently released ECB documentary on the 2023 Ashes, Stokes conveyed to his teammates that their achievements would endure despite their inability to secure victory.
“Everything we’ve done up until now isn’t going to stop because we haven’t managed to win the urn back. The reward for our work isn’t what we get but what we become.
“And what we have managed to do is we’ve managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket.”
What we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team – Ben Stokes
In the documentary, Ben Stokes emphasized that his team had achieved something far greater than winning the Ashes. He encouraged his teammates to play with a mindset that would leave a lasting impression on everyone who watches. Stokes elaborated on this sentiment, urging his squad to make their mark in a memorable way.
“I know it’s going to be a bit flat, I know it’s going to hurt that we go into the next game (at The Oval) not being able to get the urn back. But what we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team – be the team that everybody will always remember.”
In his tenure over the past 11 Test matches, Ben Stokes has struggled to make a significant impact as captain. His record shows only 4 victories in recent games, and he will be eager to reverse this trend during the upcoming summer season.
England’s next challenge will be against West Indies in a three-match series, with matches set to commence on July 10th. Stokes and his team will aim to perform better and achieve positive results against their Caribbean opponents.
