England quickly head back to crease

– Ben Stokes, right, has already started turning his attention to the Ashes, just a day after starring for England in their dramatic World Cup final win against New Zealand.

The all-rounder made an unbeaten 84 as the host nation tied the scores in regulation play at Lord’s last Sunday and batted again in a Super Over shootout that also ended all square.

The hosts won what Stokes described as the “best-ever” final on superior boundary count.

Monday saw a bleary-eyed Stokes attending a team celebration event at the Oval, with Eoin Morgan’s side parading the trophy in front of hundreds of young fans.

“I’ve woken up in better condition, but it’s an incredible feeling,” Stokes, who was man of the match, told

“We would have been devastated if we hadn’t managed to lift that trophy but looking back over that game I think it will go down in the history books as the best ever, with all the drama of a World Cup final. It’s an amazing thing to be part of.”

London

The World Cup could be the first half of a remarkable double, with England, for the first time since the inaugural 1975 edition, staging a World Cup and Ashes in the same season.

First comes a one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s next week before England begin their quest to regain the urn against Australia on August 1.

“We may be world champions but also want to be Ashes winners as well,” said Stokes, 28.

“Everyone here deserves to feel like a champion because we’ve just won it but when it comes to the Ashes it’s going to be heads on again because it has to be.

“Whether you’re winning or losing games, you’ve just got to wipe the slate clean.

“In sport, and cricket in particular, you ebb and flow with your emotions, but we’re going to enjoy the next two days because we deserve it. I’ve got this medal around my neck so it’s all good.” –