Ben Stokes Calls Final Ashes Test a ‘Huge Game’ for England
“You just try to pick the best 11 that give you the best chance of winning,” he said.
LONDON: England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday described the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia as a “huge game,” insisting his side will not ease off despite the series already being decided.
The match, starting Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, comes after England’s morale-boosting four-wicket victory inside two days in Melbourne. The win ended England’s 15-year drought in Australia but was not enough to prevent Australia from retaining the Ashes after earlier victories in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Stokes said maintaining momentum remains crucial. “This is a big game because we’re representing England,” he said, adding that while the Ashes have not gone as hoped, his team still has an opportunity to finish the tour on a positive note.
Under heavy scrutiny from Australian media and pressure back home, Stokes stressed there would be no complacency. He made it clear to the players that the focus must remain on the final Test, despite the long and demanding tour nearing its end.
England have named a 12-man squad for the Sydney Test, with seamer Matthew Potts and spinner Shoaib Bashir included. Potts is expected to feature after Gus Atkinson suffered a hamstring injury in Melbourne, while Bashir and Will Jacks are competing for the final spot.
Stokes said England would take more time to finalize their playing XI, admitting that predicting pitch behavior remains uncertain. “You just try to pick the best 11 that give you the best chance of winning,” he said.
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Australia captain Steve Smith also indicated that the hosts would assess the pitch before confirming their team, setting the stage for a competitive final Test despite the Ashes already being secured.
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