Australia were playing strong cricket in Ashes 2019 until Ben Stokes‘ never-give-up attitude snatched a victory in the Leeds Test. However, the Australian head coach Justin Langer is encouraging the boys to make a comeback from this sudden defeat.
The visitors Australia made a great start in the ongoing Ashes 2019 with the solid 251 runs victory at Edgbaston. The second Test of this series at Lord’s (London) was very close and Australia saved that game.
Australia mostly dominated in the third Test at Leeds and they were very close to secure another victory. That victory could put them to the safest zone in this series. However, Ben Stokes’ amazing batting performance smashed Australia’s entire hope in the Leeds Test and turned the series into an interesting position. With the help of Stokes’ batting, England won that match by one wicket and levelled the series by 1-1.
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So, naturally, the Australian players were in shock after facing that defeat. Especially, their weak fielding at a late moment was also an important factor for that defeat.
We felt a bit like we got the Ashes stolen the other day – Justin Langer
Now, Justin Langer is motivating the Australian cricketers by saying the story of the famous boxer Muhammad Ali.
Ahead of the crucial fourth Test, Langer said, “Champions have all had times of adversity, whether it’s in business, sport or life. The ones who come back from it … think about Muhammad Ali getting his bike stolen. That was the fire he needed to become the greatest boxer of all time.
“We felt a bit like we got the Ashes stolen the other day. Now we’ve got to work out what we’re going to do, and use that as fire.”
Old Trafford (Manchester) will host the fourth Test of Ashes 2019 from 4th September. If any team wins this match, they will be in the safest position in this series.
In the gap between the third and fourth Test of this series, Australia played against Derbyshire in the three-day tour match. Some of the regular Australian players in Ashes 2019 didn’t feature in that game. Australia totally dominated in that game and clinched a victory by an innings and 54 runs.
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Langer added, “In my opinion, the best practice is match practice. We rested a number of our first 11 players to give them a mental break and a physical break.
“There were six or seven guys who had a good break in Derby.
“We got plenty out of that game … we played good cricket.
“To win a three-day game in two-and-a-bit days is a pretty good effort … We’re worried about our preparation, not England’s.”
Since the Ashes 2005, Australia have always suffered Ashes series defeats on the English soil. Last time, they won an Ashes series in England in 2001. This time, they have a great opportunity to end this poor streak.