SYDNEY, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Captain Ben Stokes on Saturday called the fifth and final Test against Australia a "huge game" for England and vowed there would be no coasting at the end of a long and draining Ashes tour. "This is a big game, purely because we're walking out there representing England," he said. "The Ashes, unfortunately for us, hasn't gone the way we wanted it to, but we've got one more game in a big series. Australia captain Steve Smith on Saturday said a final look at the wicket was needed before the hosts decided on their starting XI. Stokes said England also needed more time, but admitted no one really knew how the wicket would play despite captains and coaches pretending they did.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 03, 2026 04:16 UTC