Former England cricketer David Llyod feels that Australia deserves to win the series despite the fourth game being washed due to the rain as they played better cricket throughout the series in England. Pat Cummins-led side retained the series after rain prevented the Day 5 play on the crucial 4th test in Manchester.
Despite England’s best efforts and their ‘bazball’ approach in the series, they could not come over the mighty Australian team in the 5-match series in England. Ben Stokes was on the verge of levelling the series 2-2 after suffering two early defeats in the contest, as they outplayed the Australians in the first three days of the 4th test after rain prevented the game in Manchester.
Speaking to the media, David Llyod feels that the Australian team did well against England to attain the 2-1 lead in the first three games in England and reckons that Australia was well deserved to win urn in away conditions and believes that Australian skipper Pat Cummins would have loved to win the game with the resounding win but nevertheless, it was great away for the Australian captain.
“For all the problems that would be perceived with the Australian cricket team, they came into Old Trafford with a 2-1 series lead, We can’t forget that and it was England who had to make all the run in this Test. Australia parked the bus, filled the team full of batters, and didn’t play a spinner,” David Llyod said.
“By whatever means, they got the result which means that retain the Ashes and that’s what it’s all about. You move on to The Oval and both teams will be wanting to pump it up and win the match. England will want to win to make it 2-2 and say they were the better side whilst Australia will want to go 3-1 and say, ‘I told you so’.
“(Pat Cummins) would’ve rather retained the Ashes with a resounding win but nevertheless… England couldn’t get over the line because of the weather,” David Llyod added.
The rain became a defining moment in the series in England, as the Australian team was very lucky to have the game washed due to the rain in England as the away team is completely outplayed in the first three days of the crucial game in England.
The fifth and final Test is scheduled to start on July 27 at the Kennington Oval in London. The England team will look to do well in the final game against the Baggy Greens to draw the series on their home soil.