MANCHESTER — England captain Ben Stokes expressed immense pride in his team's resilience after they "held firm" to secure a tense three-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, keeping the series alive at 2-1 down with one match to play.
The win came after a wave of criticism directed at England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach following a narrow defeat at Lord's and a rain-affected draw at Headingley. Stokes, however, lauded his side's mental fortitude in the face of external noise, stating the triumph was a testament to their unwavering belief in their methods and each other.
Weathering the Storm of Scrutiny
In the days leading up to the Manchester Test, England's ultra-attacking philosophy was dissected and questioned like never before in the Stokes-Brendon McCullum era. Pundits and former players debated whether the relentless positivity was bordering on recklessness, especially after key moments were squandered at Lord's. Stokes acknowledged the scrutiny but insisted it never penetrated the team's bubble. "We know that when we don't win, we get put under a lot of scrutiny, and that's part of the job," he said. "But the way everyone held firm, the way we applied ourselves from the first ball to the very last ball of the game, was incredible."
The victory was engineered by a series of critical performances that silenced the doubters. After winning a crucial toss and bowling first under grey skies, England's attack, led by the tireless Stuart Broad and the resurgent Chris Woakes, dismissed Australia for 317—a below-par total on a good batting wicket. The foundation, however, was laid by the batsmen, with Zak Crawley's magnificent 189 leading a breathtaking first-innings charge to 592.
Key Performances Under Pressure
While Crawley's innings was the showpiece, the collective effort epitomized the 'Bazball' ethos. Every batter from number one to nine scored at a strike rate above 73, applying unrelenting pressure on the Australian bowlers. The middle order, which had faced particular criticism, delivered emphatically. The contributions were vital and came at a breakneck pace:
- Zak Crawley: 189 runs from 182 balls, 21 fours, 3 sixes.
- Joe Root: 84 runs from 95 balls, adding 206 with Crawley.
- Jonny Bairstow: A blistering 99* from 81 balls, reclaiming his destructive form.
- Chris Woakes & Mark Wood: A crucial 58-run partnership for the 8th wicket.
The second innings, however, provided the ultimate test of nerve. Chasing a modest 251 for victory, England stumbled to 93-4 and then 162-5, with Australia's Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood finding threatening areas. The specter of a collapse loomed large. "That's when you find out about the character of people," Stokes remarked post-match, highlighting the composure shown in the tense finale.
The Woakes & Wood Redemption
It was the lower order, often England's Achilles' heel in recent years, that steered them home. Chris Woakes, playing his first Test of the series, compiled a mature and unbeaten 32, while Mark Wood smashed the winning runs to cap a phenomenal all-round performance. Their partnership was more than just runs; it was a statement of depth and resolve. Woakes, in particular, was instrumental with both bat and ball, claiming key wickets in each Australian innings and proving his indispensable value in home conditions.
A Series Alive Heading to The Oval
The victory sets up a historic finale at The Kia Oval, with England now having the chance to level the series 2-2. While they cannot regain the Ashes urn, having surrendered them at Old Trafford in 2019, a drawn series would represent a monumental comeback from 2-0 down and validate their high-risk strategy against the world Test champions. Stokes was unequivocal about the team's mindset. "We want to draw the series. We want to make it 2-2 and say we've had a successful summer against Australia," he asserted.
The captain also reserved special praise for the atmosphere created by the Old Trafford crowd, who roared England on through the final day's tension. "The support we've had throughout the whole series has been amazing, but here it was another level. They were with us every single ball of that run chase," Stokes said, acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between the team's bold cricket and the fans' fervent engagement.
Conclusion: Belief Vindicated
Ultimately, the fourth Test served as the perfect rebuttal to England's critics. It demonstrated that 'Bazball' is not mindless hitting, but a philosophy built on positive intent, adaptability, and, above all, an unshakeable team spirit. By holding firm under pressure, England transformed the narrative from one of crisis to one of courageous persistence. As Stokes succinctly put it, "To come here after being 2-0 down, play the way we have, and take it to the last game, is a credit to everyone in that dressing room and their character."
The stage is now set for a grand showdown in London. England, buoyed by their Manchester escape and riding a wave of public support, will aim to complete their fightback. Australia, still holding the urn but stung by their first defeat of the series, will be determined to secure a definitive series win. One final test of nerve awaits, and England have just proven theirs is formidable.