Ashes drinks row kicks off as Ben Stokes hits back at Australia accusation
Ben Stokes has slammed Australia's complaints over Ashes drinks
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Australia have claimed they were snubbed by England players for traditionak post-Ashes drinks.
But Ben Stokes has now hit back at those suggestions, insisting they all went to a nightclub later that night.
According to the Daily Mail, Aussie insiders briefed they had been refused the usual post-series beers - branding England 'pathetic' as a result.
Yet the hosts' camp have now hit back, insisting that wasn't the case.
Ashes star Ben Stokes insists England and Australia players shared drinks
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England insiders were left surprised at Australia for leaving 'so nearly' and missing the chance for drinks.
After the match, Stokes then clarified the matter, insisting both sides had met and gone to a nightclub together.
"To clarify...Our wrap took longer than expected because of multiple last time (sic) event's," he said.
"We decided to meet up in the night club rather than the dressing room."
Australian media had whipped up the row, saying players were spotted looking into England's dressing rooms to see if they could grab a few beers.
A source close to the Baggies told Fox Sports: "We don't really care, we've got the urn, but after a hard-fought series it is pretty pathetic.
"Talk about the spirit of cricket."
Australia are apparently 'disappointed by the lack of social relations during the series'.
Post-Ashes drinks are a tradition and England players previously joined their rivals in enjoying a few beverages after the 2019 series.
Tempers have threatened to boil over at times during the series.
Wife of Aussie star David Warner said players were 'touched and kicked' after after Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal in the second test of the Ashes.
And England head coach Brendon McCullum then said he doubted whether his players and staff would have any drinks together in the foreseeable future.
He said: "I can't imagine we'll be having a beer any time soon."
Meanwhile, Stokes insisted after England's win over Australia at The Oval that relations has been positive - and that sledging was no big deal.
"That's the progression of franchise cricket to be honest," said the England skipper.
"There are a lot of players who have relationships with the opposition now, not just England and Australia, but with other teams around the world.
"Especially with the IPL, you can spend nine weeks with someone who you are playing against.
"I spent two or three years at Rajasthan with Steve Smith. You get to know each other and stuff like that."
"Two-two seems fair and it was a wonderful series," said the 30-year-old.
"It was two high-quality teams. It seemed like every session we shared the honours.
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"From the start we said we were over here to win the Ashes.
"We can be hugely proud of retaining the Ashes - it's no easy feat against a high-quality England in their own conditions - but of course we wanted to come over here and win.
"It is a similar group to 2019 [when the series also finished 2-2] and we just fell a little bit short of the goal."
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