Ben Stokes hints at England playing in 'top gear' amid bad weather forecast ahead of fourth Ashes Test

The battle between arch-rivals England and Australia has remained quite intense through the ongoing Ashes 2023 series. Hence, it cannot get any better given the fact that the hosts have the series on the line with a chance to make a comeback for a series leveller, while the visitors will be aiming to regain the 'Urn'. However, with the weather expected to play possums in Manchester, the English skipper, Ben Stokes, assures that his team will play more aggressively in a bid to enforce a result should the weather interrupt the Test match thereby foiling the chances of the hosts to stay alive in the series.  

While in the ongoing Ashes series, Australia are currently leading by 2-1 in the five-game series after the home side won the last game at Headingley by 3 wickets. Notably, the bad weather forecast has been predicted for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford due to bad weather forecast. In the same vein, the England captain shared his views on the weather situation ahead of the fourth Test.

“You never want to look too much into the weather but in the position we find ourselves in, we find we might have to,” Stokes was quoted as saying by AFP. 

“If we win this one then going into the last game at 2-2, it would be hard not to say this is the best men’s Ashes series in a long time, if not the best," Stokes further added, when asked whether the ongoing Ashes 2023 series could turn out to be the greatest Test series played ever. 

Ben Stokes-led side changes bowling dynamics for the fourth Ashes Test

The English side for the fourth Ashes Test has brought back their veteran pacer James Anderson into the side. Notably, Anderson replaces Ollie Robinson in the playing XI to sharpen their pace attack as the legendary bowler brings in the much-needed variety and experience the home side need at this hour. Meanwhile, earlier in the series, the Lancashire legend sat out for pacer Mark Wood in the third Test after he failed to make a significant impact at Lord's for England in the series so far.

Interestingly enough, this move paid off rich dividends for the hosts as Wood ended up bagging the 'Player of the match' with his fiery spell that fetched him seven wickets in the game. The English speedster with his lethal pace destroyed the Australian innings in the first innings of the third game with a figure of 5/34. Now, in the aftermath of the pace impact, Australia have made two changes for the fourth Ashes Test. They have dropped Scott Boland and Todd Murphy from the playing XI and have brought in Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green, respectively.