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Posted: 2023-07-24 01:59:47

Ben Stokes has hit back at suggestions England should have declared earlier at Old Trafford, claiming anyone who thinks that was an option doesn't understand cricket like he does.

England was denied the chance to pursue a win in Manchester that would have kept its Ashes hopes alive, with no play available on the final day of the fourth Test due to rain.

Stokes is adamant his side played a near-perfect game in the fourth Test, after bowling Australia out for 317 in the first innings and hitting 592 in reply.

England also had Australia 4-113 after day three and 5-214 following a rain-interrupted day four, before Sunday's frustration.

But questions have been asked about whether Stokes should have declared earlier in England's first innings, knowing rain was coming for the final two days.

At one stage before lunch on day three, England led by 170 in the first innings but they went on to bat for an extra hour as Jonny Bairstow plundered his way to 99 not out.

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