Headingley Test: Ben Stokes hopes for lasting craze around cricket despite Ashes outcome | Cricket News – Times of India

England’s cricket captain, Ben Stokes, expressed his optimism that the infectious enthusiasm surrounding the team would endure, irrespective of the result in this season’s Ashes.
Stokes, along with coach Brendon McCullum, has emphasised an entertaining brand of cricket since taking charge of the Test side, resulting in an impressive record of 12 victories in 16 matches. The team’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style has earned them recognition on the international stage.
As they gear up for the crucial fourth Test against their arch-rivals, Australia, at Old Trafford, England remain hopeful of reclaiming the Ashes. A thrilling three-wicket win at Headingley has rekindled their aspirations, despite trailing 1-2 with two matches to go.
Stokes on Tuesday expressed his wish that the fervour surrounding cricket would not diminish even if England fail to make a historic comeback and win the Ashes from a 2-0 deficit.
“I hope this craze around cricket doesn’t get lost if things don’t go our way in this Ashes,” Stokes stated, underlining the significance of retaining the interest of new cricket fans.

The fourth Test holds added significance as England has recalled James Anderson, their all-time leading Test wicket-taker, at his home ground of Lancashire. Remarkably, Anderson is yet to achieve the feat of taking five wickets in a Test innings at Old Trafford, despite one of the ends being named after him.
Upon hearing this fact while standing in front of the ground’s honours board, Stokes remarked, “Is he not on there yet? I’ve got to say, I’m amazed at that. It would be good if he was able to do that, it would be nice to get his name up…He’s been an incredible gift to English cricket.”
However, the disappointment of the moment came when it was revealed that Old Trafford and Headingley, the traditional strongholds for Anglo-Australian matches, were excluded from the list of venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes.
Stokes expressed his dismay, saying, “You know the crowds we get in the north — and I say ‘the North’ quite bluntly there — are very good. We get a lot of support…So yeah, I’m a bit devastated that there won’t be any Ashes cricket here in 2027 in the north. It’s a shame.”
Despite his disappointment, Stokes acknowledged that he doesn’t have the authority to make such decisions, but he advocated for keeping at least one game in the north, considering the passionate cricketing history and support from fans in the region.
(With inputs from AFP)