His maiden Test hundred came in just his second Test match in a series where Mitchell Johnson was sending English batsmen back home with his fiery bouncers. An ice-cool Ben Stokes, though, counter-attacked his way to a magnificent ton and has since been England's best all-rounder across formats.
Last month, Stokes was at the helm of England's biggest sporting achievement, a World Cup title at home. The ‘Man of the Match’ in the Final of the World Cup, Stokes came to the Ashes only to witness his mates folding against some high-quality Australian bowling.
At Headingley, with the urn on the line, Stokes arguably played the greatest ever Test innings to bring England back from the dead. From 2 off 66 balls, Stokes went on to complete his half-century off 152 balls. Thereafter, he demolished Australia with his last 74 runs coming off an incredible 45 balls with seven sixes and four boundaries.
Not sure he can quite believe what he’s just done? @benstokes38 #Ashes 🏴🏏🔥 pic.twitter.com/R5Yi1Oi4Ri
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 25, 2019
Combining with Jack Leach in a last-wicket stand of 76, where Leach made just one, Stokes pulled off a heist. But if you have been following Stokes' career, this would come as no surprise.
The all-rounder has always been England's crisis man. From salvaging their reputation countless times at the World Cup to his blistering double hundred in 2016 against the World's No.1 Test side, the Proteas, at Newlands, Stokes has showcased his versatility.
I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years. @benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance.
— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) August 25, 2019
Well done @ECB_cricket
In Sri Lanka earlier this year, Stokes proved to be the difference between the sides with his impactful all-round performances. He has rallied together the tail to compose extraordinary knocks and the stand with Jack Leach was just another from the top drawer.
Jack Leach........@Specsavers do your self a favour and give him free glasses for life @jackleach1991
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) August 25, 2019
The 76-run stand is the second-best 10th wicket partnership in a successful fourth-innings run-chase. After his maiden Test ton, Stokes made another fourth innings hundred and became the fourth England player to score two or more fourth innings Test hundreds.
During his magnificent knock, Stokes knocked off eight maximums, the most by any batsman in an innings in Ashes Tests, bettering Kevin Pietersen's record. In the previous Test match, Stokes had composed a fine hundred at Lord's to help England eke out a draw from a precarious position.
Not a bad time to stamp down and announce “ Ben’s Ashes”. Big call⭐️ #Ashes19
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 23, 2019
Much like Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted, this Ashes series is turning out to be "Ben's Ashes". He is England's highest run-scorer this series and the second-highest overall after Steven Smith with 327 runs in 6 innings at an average of 81.75. He has further sent down close to 85 overs to pick up eight wickets in the series so far.
Ben Stokes in 2019 in Tests
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) August 25, 2019
Innings : 12
Runs : 503
Average - 54.8
Dismissal Rate - 103.5
50s/100s - 2/2
He is now the leading run scorer in Tests in 2019. #Ashes
Ben Stokes - This Innings
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) August 25, 2019
Day 3, Session 3 : 2 (50), 0.24 rpo, 4% attacking shots
Day 4, Session 1 : 30 (69), 2.60 rpo, 16% attacking shots
Day 4, Session 2 : 53 (74), 4.29 rpo, 32% attacking shots#Ashes
Moreover, Ben Stokes now leads the run charts in Test Cricket in 2019 with 503 runs at an average of 54.8.
Featured image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis
