Stokes hails gripping 2-2 series draw as a Test classic

England skipper Ben Stokes described the recently concluded five-Test series against India as a showcase for everything that makes Test cricket great, calling it a tough contest between two teams who left everything on the field in their ICC World Test Championship tussle.

Speaking at the post-match press conference following India’s series-levelling win at The Oval, Stokes was full of praise for the commitment and effort from both teams, despite the 2-2 series scoreline.

"I think the series as a whole, even before this game, it was just all four games going to five days, this one again, and it's been toe-to-toe for 25 days, two very good teams who have thrown everything at each other, left nothing out there, so I guess from a cricket fan's point of view, 2-2 is probably fair, obviously we're disappointed now to have not got the result that we wanted to give us a series win, so there's obviously that disappointment, a little bit of frustration there as well from everyone.

“I think as a massive advocate of this format and Test cricket as a whole, this has certainly been one of those series that can hopefully change that narrative around Test cricket as dying.

“Disappointed from obviously a playing point of view, but as an advocate of the game, the series has been fantastic to be part of."

England and India exchanged control throughout the series, with neither side managing to win back-to-back Tests, and Stokes reflected on the ebb and flow of the contest.

"India have been in control, we've been in control, then it's gone back to them, then it's gone back to us.

“To be a part of it and be able to experience five games like this has been pretty special. We had a similar situation here in 23 with the Ashes, where we had to come here and win the game, and that again was another special series to be a part of."

"That was 2-2, this was 2-2, so it's been awesome to be a part of. Obviously there is still a lot of disappointment, but for the game, for the wider game, obviously we want to constantly be promoting the game. This series has been great for that."

With both teams showcasing dominant performances at various stages, England struck first with a win in Leeds. India responded strongly with a victory at Edgbaston, only for England to reclaim the lead at Lord’s. India fought back with a gritty draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, then delivered a dominant performance in the series finale at The Oval to level things once again.

Stokes also touched on what the England team would take away from the series - particularly in terms of character shown under pressure.

"I think we were in a nice, strong place coming into the series.

"I think from a team point of view, and certainly as an individual point of view, some guys will leave the series found out a lot more about themselves, in particular this game with Chris Woakes going down early on, it was that unfortunate shoulder injury then.

"The responsibility that fell on Gus, Tongue and Jamie's shoulders, not only that but obviously the roles completely changed by then as to why they were selected and the impact that we thought they would have on the game. They had to dig deep, in particular in our second innings of bowling."

"I think there's a couple of guys who have left this series when they've been given the opportunities that they've found out a lot more about themselves in a very, very positive way."

He also singled out Chris Woakes for pushing through pain to play his part in the final innings, likening his effort to courageous displays on both sides across the series, including Rishabh Pant coming out to bat with a broken ankle in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Woakes came out to bat as the last batter with his injured arm tucked inside his sweater when England needed 20 runs, but managed to stay away from the strike with Gus Atkinson taking strike throughout.

"It was never going to be a question, I think, for him to go out there. Obviously he's in a lot of discomfort even running between the wickets there.

“But we've had guys go out, you know, Rishabh [Pant] going out on bat with a broken foot, we've had Bash [Shoaib Bashir] going out there bowling and batting and fielding with a broken finger."

"Then we've had Chris go out there today and try and get his team over the line with a quite recently dislocated shoulder.

“Again, that just goes back to how much energy and effort has been put into the series by both teams. Everyone's left a lot out on the grounds for the country this series, definitely."

Finally, Stokes reserved special praise for India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj, who was a constant presence throughout the series.

Siraj was the destroyer in chief for India, unleashing it all on England in the final Test, amassing nine crucial wickets, with his terrific fifer in the fourth innings bowling India to a six-run victory. The 31-year-old pacer concluded the series with the most wickets - 23 - and finishing as the only pacer who played across all five Tests.

"I've always had great respect and admiration for Mohamed Siraj as a competitor. He just keeps coming and coming and coming. You know that he's always going to be in the fight with you."

"Again, just another example of what it means. This game in particular just kept going and going and going. Oppositions and all that kind of stuff."

"I've always had a lot of admiration and respect for the way Mohammed Siraj goes about his cricket, what he does and how he takes it on. So, yeah, fair play to him."

England's next red-ball assignment comes up in the form of an away Ashes tour against Australia, beginning November 21 in Perth, while India square off against the West Indies in a two-Test series at home in October.