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Stokes Admits "Lack of Execution" After England's 4-1 Ashes Humiliation

England captain Ben Stokes has conceded his team failed to deliver the quality required to win Test matches after a comprehensive 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia. He stated that England gifted crucial moments to the opposition and were outplayed throughout the series. Australia secured the series win with a five-wicket victory in the final Test at the SCG, where Travis Head scored 163. The result solidifies Australia's position at the top of the World Test Championship standings.

Key Points: Ben Stokes on England's Ashes Failure: "Lack of Execution"

  • England lost Ashes series 4-1
  • Stokes cites lack of execution in all departments
  • Australia strengthens WTC lead
  • Travis Head named Player of the Match in final Test
2 min read

"Lack of execution": England captain Ben Stokes after Ashes humiliation in Australia

England captain Ben Stokes admits his team failed to deliver quality cricket after a 4-1 Ashes series loss to Australia in Sydney.

"We have not been able to deliver the quality of cricket that is required to win Test matches - Ben Stokes"

Sydney, January 8

England captain Ben Stokes has admitted that his side hasn't delivered the quality cricket that is required to win Test matches, particularly in Australia. Stokes' comments to Fox News Australia, came after the Three Lions suffered a humiliating 4-1 Ashes loss against the Steve Smith-led side on Thursday.

Australia registered a comprehensive win by five wickets in the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Mitchell Starc, the highest-wicket taker of the series, was named Player of the Series, whereas opener Travis Head was adjudged Player of the Match for his sublime 163-run knock in the first innings.

Earlier in the series, the hosts clinched victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, before the Three Lions bounced back and registered a memorable win in Melbourne.

Throughout the series, Ben Stokes-led England were outplayed by Australia's approach. The visitors' top-order struggled against Australia's pacers.

Speaking to reporters, Stokes admitted that his side gifted crucial moments to the opposition throughout the series."There are moments throughout the series where we have almost gifted the flow of the game back to the opposition," Stokes said as quoted by Fox Cricket.

"When you come up against a team like Australia, who know how to play cricket out here the same way they do back of their hand, and you are also adding to your own downfall, then you are going to end up losing the series 4-1 as we have done."

He added that to win Test matches in Australia, a team needs to do well in all three departments, which his side didn't do throughout the Ashes series.

He added: "We have not been able to deliver the quality of cricket that is required to win Test matches, particularly out here in Australia. That is with bat, that is with ball, and in the field. It has just been so far below the level that this team can operate at. It has just been down to the lack of execution."

The win strengthens the Aussies' position at the top spot on the World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings, now boasting 87.50 per cent of possible points in the cycle. New Zealand, after their series success against the West Indies, now sit in second position.

Brief Scores: England: 384 and 342 (Joe Root 160, Jacob Bethell 154, Michael Neser 4/60, Mitchell Starc 3/72) vs Australia: 567 and 161/5 (Travis Head 165, Steve Smith 138, Brydon Carse 3/108, Josh Tongue 3/42).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Credit where it's due, Australia played brilliant cricket. But England's batting collapses were shocking. Joe Root scored a 160 and they still lost by 5 wickets in this Test? That says it all about the support he got. Bazball doesn't work if the basics are missing.
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Arjun K
Mitchell Starc - Player of the Series! 🏏 What a bowler. Watching from India, it's a lesson for our fast bowlers too. You need that kind of consistent hostility and skill to win Down Under. England's "lack of execution" is a polite way of saying they were outclassed.
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Priya S
Respect to Stokes for owning up. Not many captains are this honest after a 4-1 loss. But honestly, as an Indian, I'm just happy it wasn't us this time! 😅 Jokes aside, the Ashes is special. Hope England come back stronger next time, makes for better cricket.
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Vikram M
The problem is deeper than execution. England's domestic system isn't producing batters who can handle top-quality pace on bouncy tracks. We saw the same with India until recently. You need a solid technique first, then you can talk about aggressive intent.
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Michael C
Travis Head was phenomenal. That's the kind of counter-attacking innings that changes a match. England had no answer. Their bowling looked toothless once the ball got old. Australia just knows how to win at home, a fortress for them.

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