‘Rent free’ - Ben Stokes retorts to Fox Cricket labelling dressing-room speech ‘bizarre’

Ben Stokes responded to Fox Cricket's story criticising one of his dressing room speeches shown in a documentary about the 2023 Ashes.

The ECB released a documentary about the 2023 Ashes recently, covering the thoughts and actions of the English team as they drew the series 2-2 against Australia, not being able to regain the Ashes.

In a clip that has recently surfaced from the documentary, Ben Stokes can be seen motivating his teammates during the course of the fourth Test of the 2023 Ashes, at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Fox Cricket highlight England's Ashes record

Trailing 1-2 in the series, England were on top in the fourth match, having taken a 275-run lead in the first innings. However, rain prevented England from closing off the game despite after they had Australia five down for 214. The draw allowed Australia to retain the Ashes.

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In the clip, Stokes is heard telling his teammates that they've managed to become a memorable team, which matters more than the results. "Everything we’ve done up until now isn’t going to stop because we haven’t managed to win the urn back,” he says.

“The reward for our work isn’t what we get but what we become. And what we have managed to do is we’ve managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket.

Nathan Lyon has expressed his surprise at England letting James Anderson retire after the first Test against the West Indies.

Read more: https://t.co/ChOFXnhEmH pic.twitter.com/ZMKmdywVYJ — Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 3, 2024

“I know it’s going to be a bit flat, I know it’s going to hurt that we go into the next game (at The Oval) not being able to get the urn back. But what we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team – be the team that everybody will always remember.”

Fox Cricket, the Australian cricket channel, criticised Stokes for these comments. They highlighted England's lack of Ashes victories in recent years as well as the fact that England have won only four of their last 11 Tests.

Stokes takes a jibe at Fox Cricket

Stokes responded to Fox Cricket's post, clarifying his comments that have received flak from other quarters too, and taking a dig at them as well.

"Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh,but anyways rent free and all that 🫡," Stokes wrote on X.

Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh,but anyways rent free and all that 🫡 https://t.co/ULRZ4WITOq — Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 3, 2024

Australia were 113-4 in the second innings at the end of the third day's play, requiring another 162 to avoid an innings defeat. Only 30 overs of play was possible on day four, while none was possible on day five as Australia escaped with a draw.

England then won the final Test to level the series 2-2 after having lost the first two games, but that wasn't enough for them to win the urn back as Australia only required to avoid defeat in the series to retain it.

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