Amid rumours of the English team snubbing the visitors for the traditional post-Ashes drink session, England skipper Ben Stokes has cleared the air about the matter. England defeated Australia by 49 runs in the 5th Ashes Test at Oval and ended the series 2-2. As per tradition, both sides meet for the customary get-together, irrespective of what the result of the series may be. However, due to some reason, the English side wasn’t able to do so. Skipper Stokes has clarified there was no ill will, and the sides met at a nightclub later.
“To clarify… Our wrap took longer than expected because of multiple last time event’s,” tweeted Stokes.
“We decided to meet up in the night club rather than the dressing room.”, wrote Stokes, snubbing the idea of England refusing to have a drink with the visitors.
After the alleged snubbing, several Australian media outlets criticised the English team for breaking the age-old tradition after England failed to retain the Ashes at home for the second consecutive time.
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According to Foxsports.com.au, a source close to the Australians said that the English had no desire to meet up with the Aussies.
An Australian tabloid, the Sydney Morning Herald, quoted the England team spokesman, who clarified that the whole thing was just a misunderstanding.
“It’s a great shame that a drink wasn’t shared and the opportunity of looking back on an epic series,” the spokesman said.
“We then did our end of Test wrap up, which included a number of presentations to our retired players and staff.
Earlier, England Coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum had said that the two teams might not have drinks after the series. The reason behind McCullum’s statement was the Jonny Bairstow stumping in the 2nd Ashes 2023 Test at Lord’s.
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