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Truth is probably somewhere in the middle, as always. I supported a declaration at lunch. England would probably have been closer to victory, but not there yet, by the time the rain came. I think the forecast at the time of the declaration was no play Sat (we got a session) and 1 maybe 2 sessions max on Sun.
McGrath is being his usual self, provocative as ever. He's about as right about this as he was the 5-0 prediction. It might have been meant as a broadside at Stokes/McCullum. But it's not that complimentary about the Aussies either - implying they would have folded under the pressure?
Stokes trying to shut the conversation down by saying the majority of commentators* don't understand the game is a bit sad really. You've got us all hooked, Ben, because of your brand of cricket and the fantastic entertainment. Don't spoil it now! Taking a chance and throwing the dice isn't a bad thing in sport.
*(I've not read anyone who doesn't at least say "what if..." about at least one of his declarations this series)
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c00ps
McGrath says "Ben Stokes' decision not to declare earlier on day three cost them victory....England can say they were unlucky but it rained as much as was forecast." Stokes says "the weather is the reason we sit here with a draw" and "anyone who is going to question the declaration in this game probably doesn’t understand the game as well as we do"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66282987
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66285533
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/ben-stokes-england-ashes-australia-30534949