Captain Ben Stokes termed England’s Boxing Day Test victory at the MCG a “pretty special feeling”, as the visitors finally ended a 15-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil.
After chasing down a tricky fourth-innings target in challenging conditions, the England captain admitted the closing moments were far from comfortable.
“Yeah, amazing feeling. 10 runs has never felt so far away, when I got out. I didn’t want to come back into the dressing room and watch the TV on the delay. So yeah, awesome feeling. Been on a couple of tours before where it has not gone too well, so to end up on the right side of the result after a long period of time is a pretty special feeling,” said Stokes after England’s historic win.
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“The significance of the moment was underlined when the entire squad emerged from the dressing room to share the final moments together – a release years in the making.
We, at the end there when all the boys came out of the dressing room and had a little hug there and we’re like, finally, finally we’ve won one. So, yeah, good feeling,” he added.
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Stokes Opens Up On England’s Proactive Approach
On a surface that offered something for the bowlers throughout, England committed to a proactive approach in the fourth innings, a decision Stokes felt was essential against Australia’s relentless attack.
“There was only one way of going about, chasing that, that tally down which was to, to go out there and, and try and put the pressure on from ball one,” he said.
The 34-year-old Stokes also praised England openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, calling their partnership of 51 runs a “huge reason” behind the successful chase.
“When Zak and Ben started building a partnership the field started to go back and then we were able to rotate (the strike). It wasn’t just the boundaries that were allowing us to take that total down. It was the ones and twos and the running between the wickets,” the England skipper explained.
Why Brydon Carse Was Promoted To No.3 Spot?
During the run chase, England’s tactical flexibility was also on display with Brydon Carse promoted to No.3, a move designed to counter the passage of play against the new ball.
“That wicket was very tricky, especially with a newer ball… we went with an idea of sending someone who’s got talent with a bat. Even if he gets a quick 20-30, that’s massive in a very small run chase,” said Stokes.
While the move didn’t fully come off, Stokes felt it eased the path for Jacob Bethell, whose composed knock of 40 in 26 balls stood out under pressure.
“I was very impressed watching him construct that innings in the way that he did,” he said.
Stokes Highlights Jacob Bethell’s Bravery
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes also highlighted Jacob Bethell’s bravery, particularly his willingness to disrupt bowlers’ rhythm, especially hitting Scott Boland over the covers immediately after the Tea break.
“You have got to be brave and courageous in, in the way that you play the game, especially on a wicket like that,” said Stokes.
“You don’t underestimate the impact that a certain shot or a certain intent does to a bowler,” he added.
Beyond the immediate result, the victory carried wider significance for a squad blending experience with youth, from veterans like Joe Root to players like Josh Tongue and Bethell at the start of their Test journeys.
“We will all share that same satisfaction, of winning a game out here and adding to it that it was a Boxing Day Test match which is a very, very big sporting event that we’re lucky enough to be able to play in,” he said.
“We’re very proud and bosomed that we have managed to get this (win),” he added.
Ashes 2025-26 Schedule:
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30 (England won by four wickets)
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8
