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Ben Stokes has encouraged the England team to feel “grateful” for their involvement in a classic Test match at Basin Reserve, rather than dwell on the disappointment of their one-run loss to New Zealand.
Only one other side in the history of Test cricket has come close to the success of the fourth round of Chase and lost, Australian Allan Border was beaten by the West Indies by the same result in 1993, but Stokes refused to be downbeaten.
England asked the hosts to chase down 226 runs in the third morning, only to be left with a target of 258 after a brilliant fightback from the hosts.
The game ebbed and flowed over the course of the gripping final day, New Zealand moving first with four early wickets, only for England to seize control with a 121-run stand between Joe Root and Stokes.
The England captain praised New Zealand after their one-run win in the second Test
The balance of power shifted steadily as the finish line came into sight, but when number 11 James Anderson was caught down the leg-side of Neil Wagner with England two short of victory there was no other card to play.
Stokes, who has made it his mission to reinvigorate not just England’s fortunes but wider interest in the Test format, is willing to look at the bigger picture.
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Ben Stokes said his side were ‘not good enough’ after New Zealand’s one-run win over England in Wellington
“That’s what you play Test cricket for, being in that moment. To be a part of that is amazing,” he said.
“What a game, it’s crazy. If you can’t see it again in a Test match, even in our dressing room on the losing side, and just thank you enough to have participated in a game like … when can you?
New Zealand’s Neil Wagner, second right, celebrates with teammates at the wicket of England’s James Anderson, second left, for the one-run win.
“Test matches like that don’t happen often, they don’t come often. You have to lose a game to appreciate how good it is to win. And if you’re going to lose a game, you’d like to be in a game like that instead of losing by 200 runs or whatever. It might sound daft because you’ve been so close, but I just think everyone is appreciating this week for what it is.
“That doesn’t mean for a second we’re not fussed about winning or losing. We like to win, but if it doesn’t work out, we’ll hold our hands up and say the opposition is better than us.”
It looked like England would win the match when Stokes and Joe Root shared a partnership of 121
Stokes ‘did everything’ to be Ashes fit
Stokes’ decision to do so in the follow-up will certainly be followed, as he becomes the fourth captain to do so and lose. But perhaps more importantly, after asking New Zealand to bat again, they couldn’t pull their weight with the ball.
He has been managing chronic left knee complaints for a long time, managed to flare up on the way, but limited himself to just two overs out of 216 England bowled.
Stokes admitted he was struggling physically, but made it clear he would still be on the lookout for his £1.6m IPL deal with Chennai Super Kings. With the Ashes summer in hand, fans will be crossing their fingers on his fitness.
Stokes managed a chronic knee problem throughout the series
“I’m not going to lie, it’s been very frustrating to know something is stopping me from doing the way I want to, especially as a fourth-seamer,” he said.
“I’m not a surgeon, but I know if I’ve bowled a bit it doesn’t feel good. I have four months now to get it better before the Ashes and I’ll do everything I can. saget.
“I’ve been in different situations where I’ve been good, I’ve been in bad situations, but if anything, I’m going to take a commitment to get better now. I’ve been working hard with our physio and medics but when the game comes around it’s hard to get everything done around the knee.
“I am going to IPL, don’t worry. I have spoken to Flem (CSK coach Stephen Fleming) and he knows about my current physical condition.”
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