Ben Stokes revealed England took “a huge amount of inspiration” from the Queen after finishing a Test sequence win over South Africa on Monday.
The dying of the long-reigning monarch, introduced by Buckingham Palace officers on Thursday night, led to Friday’s play within the decisive third Test at The Oval being known as off as a mark of respect.
A rigorously orchestrated commemoration happened earlier than the motion on Saturday bought underneath method, with the sell-out crowd hushed because the gamers, carrying black armbands, made their method on to the sphere to a army guard of honour.
A minute’s silence was then noticed after which soprano Laura Wright carried out the nationwide anthems of first South Africa then England, with these in attendance becoming a member of in a stirring rendition of God Save the King earlier than they then burst right into a spontaneous and extended applause.
“I’ll never forget walking down the steps out of the changing rooms to complete silence in the ground,” mentioned England Test captain Stokes. “We didn’t know that that was going to happen.
“We’re normally used to walking down with the big cheering and everything like that but walking down, the silence was deafening. It was incredible.
“You could see the upset, but also the amount of respect that everyone has for the Queen, for her service to the country and all around the world as well.”
Friday’s abandonment after Thursday’s washout meant the sequence decider between England and South Africa was a three-day affair however Stokes’ aspect comfortably claimed a nine-wicket win inside half an hour of the third on Monday morning.
There was some doubt on Friday about whether or not the Test would proceed however Stokes mentioned on the time he can be “honoured” to play in reminiscence of the Queen, who had reigned over the UK since 1952.
“We take a huge amount of inspiration from what she did in her reign,” added Stokes.
“We obviously do it nowhere near to the extent that she did for the 70 years. But we walk out there and we represent this country and we do it with a lot of pride and honour as well.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk