Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
England’s antics towards the end of the Old Trafford Test have drawn widespread reaction, with even rival fans pledging their support for Australia in the Ashes series which kicks off later this year.
Ben Stokes and his team have been criticised for their response to India deciding to bat on in the final hour. After offering to shake hands, which Stokes was completely entitled to do, India opted to allow Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to reach well deserved hundreds. However, it was England’s sheer surprise that their offer wasn’t taken up that rubbed people up the wrong way.
Bharat Sundaresan vocal about England after the Manchester Test
Even the usually calm Bharat Sundaresan had plenty to say. Speaking to SEN, Sundaresan said, “that was the most petulant behaviour I’ve seen from a bunch of adults. They [England] don’t know whether they are the good guys or the bad guys because in their world they seem to be making all the right calls, sticking to all the morals.
“But, the carry on from Ben Stokes and Harry Brook… and everyone got involved… [Zak] Crawley, [Jofra] Archer… to get Harry Brook to just toss some dollies at the Indians… and some of the language used as well which was just ridiculous.
“You have two guys batting on 89 and 80 who done an incredible job of saving the Test match for their country, and for you to say ‘no, no, but those extra 10 runs doesn’t matter’, then why did Ben Stokes carry on and make a hundred when England could have declared much earlier? Eventually, that came to haunt them; they ran out of time in the end.
“Everytime you want to get some grudging admiration for the way England are playing, they do something like this and you’re like ‘I hope they get smashed when they come here’.”
Rival fans call for Australia to beat England in the 2025/26 Ashes series
Along with Sundaresan, rival fans including Indians and South Africans have promised their support for Pat Cummins’ team.
“I’ve never wanted Australia to win an Ashes series this badly.” wrote on fan on X (formerly Twitter). “We’re all supporting Australia in the Ashes?” wrote another.
Here are some other reactions in the aftermath of the Manchester Test.
England’s immediate priority is sealing a series win against India in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Ben Stokes and his team will travel to Australia in a few months’ time in the quest to regain the Ashes since relinquishing the urn in 2017/18.
