In Ben Stokes, we have an inspirational leader who can motivate those around him and lead by example: UK PM Rishi Sunak

England and Australia are currently playing in the second Ashes Test at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London. The visitors are leading the Test series 1-0, having won the first Test at Edgbaston by two wickets.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, is an avid cricket fan and gives his reactions from time to time regarding the state of affairs in English cricket. He recently lavished praise on England's red-ball captain Ben Stokes for motivating and inspiring the team to achieve phenomenal success in the last 12 months.

"In Ben Stokes, we have an inspirational leader who can motivate those around him and lead by example on the field. I don't know what is happening behind the scenes to build that trust, which is what it comes down to, but they believe in each other and are sticking with it," Sunak said on the BBC Test Match Special.

"Last year was the most extraordinary year of cricket. How could you not fall in love with that cricket? The stats speak for themselves. You've got to give it to the team for what they have done, especially as it is essentially the same group of players with a different approach to leadership. It may make for an interesting case study."

Before the start of the Ashes, England's Test team, under Stokes, had won 11 out of the 13 games they had played.

England have an uphill task on Day 5

England are in desperate need of something special on Day 5 of the ongoing Lord's Test as they need another 257 runs with only six wickets in the bank. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins wreaked havoc in the last session on Day 4 as England were reduced to 45/4 in their chase of 371.

Opener Ben Duckett and skipper Ben Stokes battled it out in the middle and took England to Stumps without further damage. Jonny Bairstow is the only recognized batter left in the hut for the hosts after Stokes and Duckett. They will have to play out of their skins to level the series.