Ben Stokes encouraged his England side to feel “grateful” for their involvement in a classic Test match at Basin Reserve rather than dwell on the disappointment of a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand.
Only one other side in Test cricket history has come so close to a successful fourth innings chase and lost, Allan Border’s Australia beaten by the West Indies by the same score in 1993, but Stokes refused to be beaten.
England asked their hosts to go on 226 runs behind on the third morning, only to be left struggling towards an elusive target of 258 after an excellent comeback by the hosts.
Play ebbed and flowed throughout a thrilling final day, New Zealand moving first with four wickets to start, only for England to take control with a 121-run stand between Joe Root and Stokes.
The balance of power regularly shifted as the finish line loomed, but when number 11 James Anderson was caught in Neil Wagner’s wing with England two short of winning, there were no cards left to play.
Stokes, who has made it his mission to reinvigorate not just English fortunes but wider interest in the Test format, was keen to see the bigger picture.
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Ben Stokes says his team “just weren’t good enough” after New Zealand claimed a one-run victory against England in Wellington
“That’s what you play Test cricket for, to be in those moments. To be a part of that was amazing,” he said.
“What a game, it was crazy. If you can’t look at that Test match, even in our losing side dressing room, and just say thank you for being involved in a game like that… when can you?
New Zealander Neil Wagner, second from right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Englishman James Anderson, second from left, for winning a race
“Testing games like this don’t happen that often, they don’t happen that often. You have to lose games to really appreciate how good it feels to win. And, if you lose games, you wish you were involved in a game like that instead to lose by 200 runs or so. It might sound silly because you came so close, but I think everyone is enjoying this week for what it is.
“That doesn’t mean for a second that we’re not worried about winning or losing. We love to win, but if it doesn’t work out, we’re going to throw our hands up and say the opposition was better than us.”
It looked like England would win the match when Stokes and Joe Root shared a 121-run partnership
Stokes ‘doing everything’ to be fit for Ashes
Stokes’ decision to impose the streak is sure to come under scrutiny, having become just the fourth captain to do so and lose. But perhaps most importantly, having asked New Zealand to bat again, he was unable to pull his weight with the ball.
He has long controlled a chronic left knee complaint, controlling flare-ups along the way, but has restricted himself to just two overs in England’s 216 bowl games.
Stokes admitted that he was struggling physically but made it clear that he would still be taking over his £1.6 million IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings. With the summer of the Ashes just around the corner, fans will be crossing their fingers about his fitness.
Stokes managed a chronic knee problem throughout the series
“I’m not going to lie, it’s been very frustrating knowing that something is preventing me from playing the way I’d like to, especially as a fourth player,” he said.
“I’m not a surgeon but I knew when I did a little bowling I didn’t feel well. I have a four month period now to improve further before the Ashes and I’ll do everything I can.
“I’ve been in different situations where I’ve been good, I’ve been in situations where I wasn’t good, but I’ll probably take on my commitment to improve even more now. I’ve been working hard with our physio and doctors, but once the games started, it was hard to do everything on my knee.
“I’m going to the IPL, don’t worry. I’ve talked to Flem (CSK trainer Stephen Fleming) and he is fully aware of the situation with my body at the moment.”