IND vs ENG Test: 'Losing Chris Woakes changed the whole responsibility' - Ben Stokes reacts as India secure stunning win in nail-biting finish to series
England captain
Ben Stokes
hailed the recently concluded five-Test series against India as a glowing exhibition for the longest format, even as his side fell narrowly short in a dramatic finale at The Oval.
'It's been an incredible series, all five games going down to day five,' Stokes said, speaking to BBC Test Match Special after India sealed a thrilling six-run win to level the series 2-2. 'So much has been put into this series from both teams. The commitment and energy has been outstanding.'
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Stokes acknowledged the sting of the defeat but was quick to look at the matchup overall. 'Stood here now, we're bitterly disappointed we couldn't get the series win,' he admitted.
'But myself being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world. All the doubters saying it's dying a death, this series has said the opposite.'
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It was a finish that perfectly encapsulated the series' intensity. England began Day 5 needing 35 runs with four wickets in hand, and the morning brought early promise with two boundaries off Prasidh Krishna. But
Mohammed Siraj
turned the tide once again, as he removed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton before producing a stunning yorker to bowl Gus Atkinson and complete a five-wicket haul.
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India's players erupted in celebration as Siraj dropped to his knees, arms in the air. The win was their narrowest by runs in Test history.
'Credit both teams,' said Stokes. 'The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible. Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for. The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding.'
Chris Woakes, nursing a serious shoulder injury, came out to bat with one arm, with his left tucked into a sweater, holding the bat in the other and remained unbeaten without facing a ball.
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'For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding,' Stokes said. 'That never say die, never back down attitude we've installed in the group nearly paid off. We couldn't quite get over the line.'
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