Brendon McCullum compares Ashes 2023 to a heavyweight boxing fight says “Ashes 2023 much like a heavyweight boxing fight”
England leveled the Ashes series 2-2 after a 49-run win in the fifth test at the Oval
The fifth test of the Ashes series at the Oval was nothing less than a humdinger as the match ebbed and flowed from day one before England eventually came out on top with a 49-run win to level the series 2-2 a result similar to the last Ashes played in England in 2019 which also ended in a draw as England managed to win the last test of that series as well. The situation was a bit different this time around as there was a lot of time lost in the match due to rain which was also the case in the previous match at Old Trafford which ended in a draw and with that the hopes of England to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2015 also ended.
The Urgency
It was important for England to win the match to draw the series as any other result would give Australia their first Ashes series win in England since 2001. The English team delivered when it mattered the most as everything clicked for them in every department of the game. Although England did not start well with the bat as the entire team was bowled out for 283 batting first. But it was their bowling that made the difference bowling Australia out for 295 in their first inning courtesy of some good bowling from the English bowlers. Batting for the second time in the match England did well and scored 395 runs in the second innings setting Australia a target of 384 runs in the second which Australia failed to chase on the last day of the match as England won the match by 49 runs and leveled the series 2-2
Coaches Corner
England’s head coach Brendon McCullum compared Ashes 2023 to a heavyweight boxing fight. In the words of McCullum “Amazing to be part of this series. Two incredible cricket teams with contrasting styles much like a heavyweight boxing fight and it lived up to the billing. It was really special. I am very proud of the way our boys stayed very strong to what we want to do throughout the series. It is a nice reflection of a great series.” Legendary pacer Stuart Broad who announced his retirement from professional cricket picked up the last two Australian wickets to fall ending his test career with 604 wickets.
