Ben Stokes will be part of Test cricket`s 100-cap membership when the England captain leads the vacationers in opposition to India in Rajkot on Thursday. Mid-Day appears to be like at a number of the all-rounder`s most memorable performances within the five-day recreation.
Ben Stokes`s Super Six
Dec 2013, Perth: 120 vs Australia Stokes supplied England with a uncommon spotlight throughout a depressing 2013/14 Ashes with a gutsy fourth-innings hundred in opposition to a powerful Australia tempo assault that got here simply months after England coach Andy Flower had warned he was losing his expertise following some wayward behaviour on a second-string Lions journey.
May 2015, Lord`s: 101 vs New Zealand Injuries, an absence of kind and uncertainty over his function meant Stokes` Test profession was changing into a stop-start affair. But he responded to being promoted to quantity six within the batting order with two dashing innings, a rescue act of 92 adopted by an 85-ball hundred — the quickest in a Test at Lord`s. He then dismissed Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum, now England`s coach, with successive deliveries in an England win.
August 2015, Trent Bridge: 6-36 vs Australia Stokes` batting could also be his stronger go well with however this match demonstrated his price, when absolutely match, as a bowler and within the subject. His very good one-handed catch to dismiss Adam Voges helped paceman Stuart Broad to a headline-grabbing return of 8-15 as Australia collapsed to 60 all out. And it was Stokes who sealed victory with a superb second-innings show of swing bowling as England regained the Ashes.
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January 2016, Cape Town: 258 vs South Africa Coming in with England faltering at 167-4, Stokes struck the second-fastest Test double century of all time, off simply 163 balls. Stokes hit 30 fours and 11 sixes in whole and likewise shared a partnership of 399 with Jonny Bairstow (150 not out) that continues to be the best sixth-wicket stand in Test historical past. Michael Atherton, a former England captain, mentioned of Stokes` innings: “In terms of sustained hitting, the demolition of an entire attack, I haven`t seen anything like it before.”
August 2019, Headingley: 135 not out vs Australia Just over a yr after being acquitted of affray in a court docket case that threatened his profession and a few six weeks on from his World Cup remaining heroics, Stokes performed arguably his biggest innings. Following England`s woeful first-innings 67 all out, Stokes atoned with an arduous return of 3-56 after which by some means managed to get England to a victory goal of 359. Having rigorously performed himself in, Stokes — with simply final man Jack Leach for firm, hit out in spectacular vogue to safe a scarcely credible one-wicket win.
August 2022, Old Trafford: 103 vs South Africa Stokes` reign as captain alongside coach McCullum began with 4 straight wins. Their `Bazball` method was criticised, nevertheless, following a defeat by South Africa at Lord`s. But Stokes, once more displaying how he might tempo an innings, helped flip issues round with a composed hundred in Manchester and likewise took top-order wickets in each of South Africa`s innings as England returned to successful methods.
(With company inputs)
Source: www.mid-day.com
