Controversy is inevitable when England and Australia lock horns, and the 2023 contest was no different. From the Jonny Bairstow stumping saga to Australian players facing an abusive crowd in the Lord’s Long Room, the clashes have rolled on. The final evening of the series also brought controversy, when England’s post-series debrief reportedly went on too long to allow time for the customary post-series beers.

Since the series, there have been several comments from players on both sides on its events. In an interview with The Telegraph this week, Stokes took a potshot at the visiting team who retained the urn: “I made a very conscious effort, once the Ashes was done, to let it be done. I can’t say the same about the opposition.”

In a recent interview with Channel Seven, some Australia players mocked England’s post-series celebrations despite drawing the series 2-2. When asked about how their fans would have reacted had they drawn a series at home, Scott Boland said: “I think we’d get crucified if it was 2-2 at home.”

In his interview with The Telegraph, Stokes response to the comments from the Australian players was: “I don’t understand what’s going on with it. They can do what they want, but it’s bizarre.”

Stokes also revealed in the interview that he wished to extend his playing career until 2027, when Australia will next visit England for an Ashes series.