BEN STOKES revealed his private chat with Joe Root after England won their first Test in Australia for almost 15 years.
Captain Stokes and senior batsman Root embraced at the end of England’s four-wicket, two-day Ashes triumph in Melbourne.
It ended the veteran duo’s long winless streaks in Australia.
Stokes said: “At the end, when all the boys came out of the dressing-room, we had a little hug and just said, ‘Finally we’ve won one!’
“Me and Joe have been here a few times and on the wrong end of the result a few times. So to end up on the right side after so long is a pretty special feeling.
“I’m sure later tonight there might be a few words spoken about it. We know Australia is a very hard place to win a game, let alone a series.
“It will be another four years until we come back, but there won’t be a narrative that we haven’t won a game – that goes back to zero now.”
Stokes had played 12 Tests in Australia without winning and Root 17.
England’s win – their first in Australia since January 2011 – reduced their series deficit to 3-1 and prevented a potential whitewash.
But there was controversy at the green, seamer-friendly pitch produced by Matt Page, groundsman at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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The games lasted only 142 overs and no batsman managed a half-century.
Stokes believes England can win more Tests in Australia in the future – picking out fast bowler and Player of the Match Josh Tongue and No.3 batsman Jacob Bethell, who won his first Ashes Test.
He explained: “We have guys towards the end of their careers and guys at the start, but quite a lot of the players will have more opportunities to come to Australia and win games of cricket for England.
“Josh has that natural wicket-taking ability that is so hard to come by. He should be very proud of himself and how he’s operated in this game because he’s bowled some long, big spells and backed it up. He’s been phenomenal.
“And Beth played well under a bit of pressure. It shows a lot about his character and confidence.”
