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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 Stokes bowled 28 overs, taking 2/95 before adductor injury
- 2🏆 England trail by 183 after Australia's 567 in Sydney
- 3💡 Crawley backs Stokes as best captain despite series loss
- 4🔮 Home series vs NZ, Pak key to WTC revival in 2026
"He's tried not to be over-bearing, but Stokes' failure to lead with the ball left his raw attack exposed"
Ben Stokes' bold but cautious approach left England exposed in the Ashes, with pacer Matthew Potts bearing the brunt of a raw attack's struggles. The all-rounder captain's lung-busting spells couldn't mask his bowlers' inexperience, as Australia dominated at the SCG.
Stokes' Bowling Burden
Stokes rolled his arm over for seven gritty overs ahead of the second new ball, a desperate bid to shield his inexperienced seamers. But the coddling tactics - avoiding over-bearing leadership with the ball - left Potts and co. exposed against a rampant Aussie batting line-up. England fans watching from India couldn't help but draw parallels to Bazball gone wrong, where aggression meets harsh Aussie reality.
This series has tested Stokes' revolution, with defeats piling up despite that Melbourne triumph. His adductor niggle on day four only added to the woes, forcing Harry Brook to step up as stand-in skipper while England trailed by 183 runs after bundling Australia for 567.
"He's the best captain I've ever played under." — Zak Crawley
As the Sydney Test rages on, England eye a 3-2 finish to salvage pride before home battles against New Zealand and Pakistan. Stokes' fire still burns, but his bowlers need steeling for the road ahead.
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