'Best men's Ashes series in a long time' - England skipper Ben Stokes makes bold claim about ongoing Ashes 2023 ahead of 4th Test

England, under the captaincy of Ben Stokes, are all set to lock horns with Australia in the upcoming fourth Ashes 2023 Test. Both teams will be playing this match at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester today. Notably, England kept their hopes alive in the five-match contest after winning the third Test at Headingley after two consecutive defeats at Edgbaston and Lord’s, respectively.

Meanwhile, the England skipper and veteran all-rounder, Ben Stokes has come up with a bold claim ahead of the start of the fourth Test match against Australia. Stokes felt that this edition of the Ashes is probably going to be remembered as the best men’s Ashes series for a long time.

“Well, I think if we win this one, and then go into the last game 2-2, then it’ll be hard not to say that this has been the best men’s Ashes series in a long time, if not the best. So yeah, I think just overall, like, take away Australia and England, just the cricket that has been played has been absolutely brilliant,” said Stokes to a journalist in an interaction ahead of the fourth Ashes 2023 Test.

Here's what Ben Stokes said further

“And I think everyone who has watched at the ground or TV in England or TV at home has just really enjoyed the cricket that’s been played. You know, we have seen some special moments on the cricket field. You’ve seen some very special individual performances as well. And guess that’s what you want from sport,” he added.

Notably, England haven’t won any Ashes Test against Australia in Manchester. They will be eyeing to end the 42-year-long wait for winning an Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

Here’s a look at England’s playing XI for the 4^th Ashes 2023 Test:

Harry Brook, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Duckett, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Mark Wood

Here’s a look at the Australia playing XI for the 4^th Ashes 2023 Test against England:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Todd Murphy