The Telegraph Cricket Podcast · The Telegraph

Stokes inspires England win in India thriller

·53 min·3 clips

Ben Stokes was man of the match after a run out, key runs, and bowling England through a 22-run win.

England's tense 22-run win sits at the centre of the discussion. The hosts begin by asking whether it was ever really in doubt. One voice says the game felt under control once England had the key breakthrough, while another admits to being nervous after tea. Jadeja's long stand with Bumrah and Siraj is treated as a slow but steady chipping away at the margin of defeat. The panel keeps the focus on how the chase felt rather than on one dramatic turning point. Attention then shifts to the Stokes-Archer exchange. Archer wanted Stokes to move from leg slip to mid-on so he could speak to him and shift Kars to leg slip. Stokes says he did not trust Kars to take the catch there, and the disagreement is framed as heat-of-the-moment passion rather than a real split. Stokes wanted that made clear the previous night. Both men are described as flamboyant on the field, and their reactions give photographers something obvious to chase. Carse is said to be establishing himself more and more in the side. His spells mattered, even with some fitness concern going in. Chris Woakes then comes into focus. He had an odd game but still took important wickets, including Shubman Gill. Jamie Smith standing up to him for much of the day is raised as a possible sign that Woakes was not operating at full pace. The Dawson call-up is confirmed and treated as significant because it gives England the option to leave Woakes out at Old Trafford if they want to. Old Trafford is noted as one of Woakes' better venues, with useful memories from the 2023 Ashes and the Covid summer of 2020. Even so, the panel suggests that modern English conditions and the Duke's ball may be shifting the argument. The discussion also broadens to how this England group handles scrutiny, with the sense that many of them are more open in the media than outsiders might assume. The podcast closes by promising a return after the fourth Test at Old Trafford and pointing listeners toward Telegraph coverage, including the upcoming 2005 Ashes anniversary pieces.

As heard by us

A tense finish opens into field-placement debate, selection calls, and England's temperament.

England's 22-run win in India is the headline, but the stronger interest is in what the finish says about Stokes' side and the players it trusts when the game tightens.

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Why you'd press play

You want a post-match cricket debrief that still cares about field settings and selection.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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