Ben Stokes Makes History
As Ben Stokes earned his 100th cap during the third test between India and England at Rajkot. We look back at the standout performances from the all-rounder’s Test career…
Maiden century amidst the misery – 120 (195) 2nd Test vs Australia at Perth, 2013
Embed from Getty ImagesIn just his second ever Test match, with the Ashes on the line, Ben Stokes walked in at 121-4 with England chasing a mammoth target of 504 to save the series.
In what was a rotten tour for the visitors. Ben Stokes provided a rare moment of joy as he hit an attack which included Australian greats, Mitchell Johnson, and Nathan Lyon around the park, with 18 fours and one six coming in his 120.
While the hosts went on to win the match by 150 runs, and the series 5-0. Stokes’ performance was remembered as one of the finest of the tour and one which gave Australia a taste of things to come.
The fastest century at Lords – 92 (94) & 101 (92) 1st Test vs New Zealand at Lords, 2015
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving failed to score a run in the two matches he played the previous summer, and managed just one half-century since his maiden ton. Stokes was due a big one.
Nobody, however, could have predicted what transpired in the opening Test of the 2015 summer. Stokes followed falling agonisingly short of a hundred in the first innings by smashing the fastest ever century at Lords from just 85 balls in the second.
The innings, alongside a century from captain Alastair Cook. This was crucial as England turned a 134 run first innings deficit, into a 124-run win. With the all-rounder also taking 3-38 with the ball. Including the wickets of New Zealand’s star batsmen, Kane Williamson, and Brendon McCullum.
A stunning double century – 258 (198) 2nd Test vs South Africa at Newlands, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesAn innings that remains his highest score. Ben Stokes smashed his maiden double hundred against a strong South African attack. Combining with Jonny Bairstow, who made 150 not out, for a 399-run partnership. This still remains the highest ever for the sixth wicket in Tests.
The pitch was flat, and the match was drawn. But the Englishman cashed in spectacularly, striking at over 130 against Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and co. An iconic knock.
The greatest innings ever? – 135 (219) 3rd Test vs Australia at Headingley, 2019
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen England were skittled for just 67 in their first innings. All hope appeared lost; the hosts were left needing a huge 359 runs in their second innings to win the match.
Things looked even worse when the Three Lions were reduced to 15-2; they recovered to 141-3 but were still a long way off their target.
In their hour of need, up stepped their World Cup final hero Ben Stokes to save the day with the greatest innings in cricket history.
Ever the man for the moment, the Cumbrian hit just three runs from his first 73 balls. But 58 from his next 104 and 74 from his final 42 in an innings which included eight huge sixes as the hosts survived to win by a single wicket, with Stokes’ partnership with number 11 Jack Leach ever memorable for its 76 runs, of which just one was scored by Leach.
England’s superhero almost does it again – 155 (214) 2nd Test vs Australia, 2023
Embed from Getty ImagesIt felt like Headingley 2019 all over again as Stokes strode to the middle with his side in another Ashes crisis, requiring 371 to square the series.
Amidst the chaos of a controversial Bairstow runout, England’s captain stood tall to almost rescue his side, hitting a blistering 155 off 219 balls, which included nine fours and nine sixes.
While his efforts were not quite enough, as England succumbed to a 43-run defeat, Stokes led by example and paved the way for England to comeback from 2-0 down to eventually draw the series.
Image credit: Ben Sutherland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
