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Ben Stokes Demands Full Effort in Final Ashes Test: "Playing for England"

England captain Ben Stokes has called for a full team effort in the final Ashes Test in Sydney, stressing that playing for national pride remains paramount despite Australia having already won the series. Coming off a morale-boosting victory in Melbourne that snapped a long winless streak in Australia, England aims to secure another win to finish the series with a respectable 2-3 scoreline. Stokes warned against any player "coasting" through the match, insisting every decision must be for the team's benefit. The fifth Test represents a final chance for England to build positive momentum before departing Australia.

Key Points: Stokes: "Huge Game, Playing for England" Ahead of Sydney Test

  • Stokes emphasizes team-first mentality
  • England aims for a 2-3 series scoreline
  • Australia has already retained the Ashes
  • Final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground
2 min read

"Huge game, we're walking out there playing for England" : Stokes ahead of Sydney Test

England captain Ben Stokes urges his team to give their all in the final Ashes Test in Sydney, emphasizing pride and team success over the series result.

"This is a huge game, we're walking out there playing for England. - Ben Stokes"

Sydney, January 3

England captain Ben Stokes has urged his team to give it their all in the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Stokes wants his players to focus on team success, saying that whoever goes out there this week will do everything they can to support the team.

Australia are already 3-1 up in the series. England was hammered in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, but then won an astonishing two-day Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to earn its first victory in Australia in 15 years.

The last match of the series will start tomorrow at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"Whoever goes out there this week, everything they do and every decision they make will be about what the team needs," Ben Stokes said as per Sky Sports.

"One thing you don't want to see, and I don't think I will, is anyone coasting through this game. This is a huge game, we're walking out there playing for England, and it's going to take all 11 of us to go out there and get a result," he added.

"Australia get to lift the urn, and they've won the Ashes, but every time you walk out and play for your country, regardless of the opposition, regardless of where the series is at, it's just as important," he concluded.

After snapping an 18 Test winless streak in Australia at Melbourne, England finally have something to cheer about in Australia during an Ashes series and would be aiming to add one more win in front of their team's name and take a flight back home with a respectable 2-3 scoreline which would let them keep their head high even though the wait for first Ashes series win in Australia since 2010/11 continues.

England squad for the fifth Ashes Test: Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Respect to Stokes for not letting the team give up. But honestly, from an Indian perspective, this Ashes has been so one-sided. Australia are just too strong at home. England winning in Melbourne was a surprise, but it feels like too little, too late. The real test for them will be when India tours England later this year!
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Rohit P
Good to see the captain emphasizing team over individual. That's the basic lesson in any sport. England's batting has been a letdown this series, barring that one win. Hope they make the final Test competitive. As an Indian, I'm just enjoying the high-quality cricket between two traditional rivals. 🏏
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Sarah B
Living in Mumbai, I follow cricket closely. Stokes is right—every match for your country matters. But I have a respectful criticism: England's planning for this tour seemed off from the start. They didn't adapt to Australian conditions quickly enough. That's a lesson for all touring sides, including Team India.
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Vikram M
The spirit is good, but the result is what counts. Australia 3-1 says it all. England needs to rebuild. On a lighter note, as an Indian fan, I'm just happy we don't have to wait 15 years for a win in Australia anymore! 😄 Our team has cracked that code. All the best to both teams for the final match.
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Karthik V
Stokes leading from the front, as always. That Melbourne win showed they have fight. Hope the Sydney pitch is a good one for a proper contest. The Ashes rivalry is iconic, but nothing beats the intensity of an India vs Australia series for me. Let's see if

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