Harry Brook has dismissed criticism of England as bad losers, pointing out: ‘We’ve not lost anything yet!’
England are attempting to level the Ashes with victory in this week’s Fifth Test at the Oval, with Brook claiming that a 2-2 final scoreline would provide something of a “moral victory” for the home side, given they were well on course for victory in the Fourth Test before a Manchester washout saw Australia retain the Urn.
Brook was one of six batters to pass fifty at Old Trafford as England dominated Australia’s bowlers, posting a total of 592, a 275-run lead on first innings. The tourists were five wickets down and still 61 runs short of forcing England to bat again heading into the final day, but torrential rain saw play abandoned without a ball being bowled after two sessions had also been wiped out on Saturday.
“We were dominating the game last week weren't we so if the game had played out, I would like to think we would have won that,” Brook said. “So, if we can win this week, yeah it almost can make it a moral victory.
“We were thinking that [we deserved something] last week when we were watching the rain pour down in Manchester, it never seems to be sunny there, but there isn't much to be said. This week we will go out there, play the same way and try to get a victory.”
The anti-climatic ending to what had been a gripping series has prompted all manner of debate about what might be done to combat the weather, from extending playing times to implementing reserve days.
Sections of the Australian media have, unsurprisingly, jumped on suggestions that the retention of the Urn at this stage is solely a result of England’s misfortune with regards the weather, branding Ben Stokes’s side sore losers.
"We haven't lost yet,” Brook quipped. “They've only retained it. So, if we win this week, it’s a draw isn't it?”
Australia have not won a series in England outright since 2001, with Pat Cummins’s side heavily driven to do so having squandered the chance in 2019.
Then captained by Tim Paine, Australia found themselves in an identical position at 2-1 up with the Urn already secure heading into the Fifth Test, but a consolation victory for England saw the series finish 2-2.
"That would be lovely,” Brook said of the chance of denying Australia that satisfaction. “It's not nice drawing is it, but it would be lovely to not give them that privilege. We're just gonna go out there and play the same way we have in this series.”
