Persistent rainfall on the ultimate day of the fourth Take a look at prevented any play, denying England the chance to stage the sequence with a possible victory in a match they’d dominated.
The end result ensured that Australia, being the present holders, retained the Ashes with a 2-1 lead, leaving only one match remaining within the sequence at The Oval, commencing on Thursday.
Nonetheless, Australia perceive the importance of the upcoming Take a look at in London, as they search to safe their first Ashes sequence triumph in England since 2001. The crew stays absolutely centered on their ambition to attain this historic feat.
“It’s a little bit of a wierd one,” Cummins instructed reporters. “As a bunch, proud we’ve got retained the Ashes nevertheless it has not been our best week.”
The quick bowler remarked, “The group we’ve got now’s fairly much like the one we had in 2019 once we managed to retain the Ashes in England with a 2-2 draw. Again then, we felt glad, however there was a lingering sense that we had not absolutely achieved what we got down to obtain.”
“In some regards no matter occurred at present, it would not actually change how we view subsequent week — we wish to win (the sequence).”
Of their second innings, Australia ended the day on 214/5, trailing England’s first-innings complete of 592 by 61 runs. Marnus Labuschagne’s sensible knock of 111 on Saturday proved to be essential in maintaining the hosts at bay.
In the course of the first innings, England managed to restrict the world Take a look at champions to 317 runs earlier than piling up a formidable complete of 592 all out. Zak Crawley’s outstanding 189 and Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 99 have been vital contributors to England’s commanding rating.
Reflecting on his efficiency, Cummins admitted that he had not bowled nicely, evidenced by his return of 1-129 in 23 overs, which stands as the costliest spell in his Take a look at profession to this point.
Cummins additionally acknowledged that England’s thrilling and aggressive ‘Bazball’ batting type had introduced tactical challenges for him because the captain.
“We tried to throw just a few plans at them and on one other day they may have labored however, in all aspects, we simply weren’t at our greatest this week they usually performed rather well,” stated Cummins, who added any Australia pleasure at having retained the Ashes could be “muted”.
We’ve turn into a crew that individuals will keep in mind: Stokes
Amidst the Ashes final result, England captain Ben Stokes confidently asserted that his crew would go away an enduring impression as a memorable and noteworthy aspect, regardless of falling wanting successful the sequence.
Underneath Stokes’ management and the steerage of coach Brendon McCullum, England skilled their first attract 17 Checks since their partnership started final yr. Throughout this era, they initiated a big transformation of their red-ball cricket strategy, inserting a robust emphasis on entertaining the spectators, guaranteeing an fulfilling expertise for the paying public.
“It is a powerful one to take, a troublesome tablet to swallow,” stated Stokes after a outcome that left England nonetheless looking for a primary Ashes sequence win since 2015.
“However I believe what we have managed to do has already carried out wonders for cricket in England. I stated within the dressing room that the reward on your work is not what you get, it is what you turn into.”
The all-rounder added: “I believe what we have managed to turn into is a crew that individuals will keep in mind.
“As a lot as I’d like to be an Ashes-winning captain, I need this to be a legacy crew. No matter how the sequence finally ends up, folks will at all times discuss us.”
With The Oval finale simply across the nook, England have just a few days to regroup. Nonetheless, Stokes emphasised the necessity to overcome the frustration and shift their focus totally to the upcoming sport.
“It’s a huge one for us and we all know 2-2 sounds loads higher than 3-1.”
