Ben Stokes: Headingley heroics will count for nothing if England don't win Ashes

All-rounder already has his focus on the fourth Test at Old Trafford that starts on September 4

England's Ben Stokes and Jack Leach celebrate after Stokes scored the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds. England beat Australia by one wicket. AFP

Australia's Marcus Harris cannot take a catch to dismiss England's Ben Stokes. AFP

England's Ben Stokes celebrates winning the Test match at Headingley against Australia. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes and Jack Leach celebrate after Stokes scored the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds. England beat Australia by one wicket. AFP

England's Ben Stokes is hit on the helmet by a ball from one of Australia's bowlers. He went on to score 135 not out to steer England to a one-wicket win. AFP

England's Ben Stokes reacts after England won the third Ashes cricket Test. AFP

England's Ben Stokes celebrates hitting the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test. AFP

England's Ben Stokes celebrates as his unbeaten 135 saw England home to a one-wicket win over Australia. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes watches on as Australia's Ben Cummings bowls to Jack Leach. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes celebrates as his unbeaten 135 saw England home to a one-wicket win over Australia. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes hits a six on his way to an unbeaten 135 against Australia as England won the third Ashes Test at Headingley to level the series at 1-1 with two to play. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes turns for a second run. AFP

Australia's Nathan Lyon appeals against England on Day 4 at Headingley. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Reuters

Australia's Pat Cummins bowls on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test against England. AFP

England's Ben Stokes in action taking the game to the Australia attack. Reuters

Australia's Nathan Lyon in action. Reuters

Australia's James Pattinson celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Stuart Broad. Reuters

Australia's David Warner celebrates taking the wicket of England captain Joe Root for 77 runs. AFP

Australia's David Warner takes a catch from Nathan Lyon's bowling to dismiss England's Joe Root. Reuters

England's captain Joe Root walks back to the pavilion. AFP

England's Jonny Bairstow is caught playing this shot off the bowling of Australia's Josh Hazlewood. AFP

England's Jonny Bairstow walks back to the pavilion. AFP

England's Ben Stokes gestures before Jos Buttler is run out. AFP

Australia's Travis Head catches out England's Jofra Archer Action on the boundary. Reuters

Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking the wicket of England's Chris Woakes. Reuters

Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow. AFP

Australia's Josh Hazlewood in action. Reuters

England's Ben Stokes (L) and England's Jack Leach celebrates after winning on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on August 25, 2019. England beat Australia by one wicket to win epic third Test. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB / AFP / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Ben Stokes says his match-winning innings for England against Australia in the third Test at Headingley will count for little unless they win back the Ashes.

The all-rounder shone in England's dramatic one-wicket victory, where he scored 135 not out to help them chase down 359.

Stokes told Sky Sports News: "I don't think it has completely sunk in yet and the main reason for that is we have two games to go.

"It was an amazing week in Headingley and something that will be very hard to forget, but we still have a long way to go.

"If we don't get the Ashes back what will it feel like? I will only take real satisfaction from the innings if we win back the Ashes."

Stokes praised the contribution of England's last man Jack Leach, who faced 17 deliveries for his one run at Headingley.

"It was a pretty iconic image, Jack Leach cleaning his glasses after every ball and the video of him playing his shot has gone viral as well," Stokes added.

"But the 17 balls he faced are probably the most crucial he will ever face in his career.

"We knew how much time we had left in the innings and we were fully prepared to take it into day five because we didn't have any scoreboard pressure."

The fourth Test starts on September 4 at Old Trafford and Stokes says England will go into it with a huge amount of belief while Australia may still be reeling after coming so close to retaining the Ashes.

He said: "Stuart Broad said we need to bowl at these guys like we were defending 170 and we had to get the 67 out of our head.

"Momentum is huge in sport and I'm 100 per cent sure when Stuart Broad got out Australia would have thought they will have the Ashes by the end of the day, so we go into the next match with a lot of confidence.

"I think we are very aware as a team and as players that we have a responsibility to inspire the next generation of cricketers.

"What we did in the first half of the summer helped us to do that and if we win the Ashes hopefully it will help produce more cricketers out of England over the next 20 years."

Meanwhile, Australia have played down suggestions that spinner Nathan Lyon could miss the fourth Ashes Test with an ankle injury.

Cricket Australia confirmed on Wednesday morning that the 31-year-old has picked up an ankle issue, but did not seem to think it would affect his involvement at Old Trafford.

"A bit of a scare for the Aussies at training today, but (Lyon) is all good," CA tweeted. "He has a slightly twisted right ankle and left training as a precaution. He would have stayed on in a Test."