June 21, 2023 
By India Today Sports Desk: Ben Stokes was clear cut in saying that England would not go into their shell and would rather, “keep making moves” in the remaining four Tests of Ashes 2023. The opening Test at the Edgbaston in Birmingham went right down to the wire, but the home team lost by two wickets to fall 0-1 down in the five-match series.
Defending 281 in the fourth innings, England reduced the visiting team to 227 for the loss of eight wickets. But an unbeaten 55-run stand between Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon helped Australia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
"Very proud to take it to the end of day five like that, to have all the emotions, it was so up and down. It's another game we'll never forget we've been a part of. That's what we want to do, be part of great moments, and get people on the edge of their seats. Hopefully, we've managed to attract the attention of some more people to watch the Ashes for the next four games.
“A loss is a loss. We've said how we were going to operate. Losing hurts and winning is a great feeling. We're going to keep making moves if we feel the time is right and if we end up on the wrong side of results like this, there won't be much to complain about,” Stokes said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Sensed an opportunity
Back on Day 1, England declared their first innings at 393 for the loss of eight wickets at a time when Joe Root was going all guns blazing. The decision surprised many, but Stokes put forth the rationale behind the call.
The 32-year-old Stokes said that England wanted to have a crack at the Aussie batters at the fag end of the day’s play.
“That was an opportunity to pounce on Australia, no batsman likes to go out for 20 mins at the end of the day, and I sensed an opportunity to take two wickets,” Stokes added.
The second Test of the series is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, June 28 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
--- ENDS ---
July 20, 2024 
