Your Efforts Went in Vain, But Won't Be Forgotten, Ben Stokes!

image-ljmr5ynqBen Stokes at Lord's [AP]

'Deja Vu, for sure, he's an unbelievable player...'  Well said by the former Australia captain Steven Smith as the Australians were once again haunted by the ghosts of Headingley 2019.

Ben Stokes is being applauded worldwide due to his sensational innings at Lord's. Although he was playing at his terrifying best, there wasn't much traction on the surface; so there was still a potential for a turnaround. Ultimately, England were only 43 runs short despite Stokes' belligerent ton.

Stokes scored an incredible 155 runs and attained the landmark for only the third time in his career, after Jonny Bairstow was controversially declared stumped on the final day for leaving his territory.  

A challenging goal of 371 was set, but England were bowled out for 327. Despite Stokes' all-around aggressive performance, the Australian pace attack, headed by captain Pat Cummins, continued to chip in with wickets at a steady clip.

The English captain hammered 50 runs in the last five overs before lunch, taking Green for 24 in an over, including three consecutive sixes.

Once the target came down to under 100, Australia came up with a shrewd strategy to keep the ball wide of the off-stump and test Stokes' patience. With the option of the short boundary taken away, he was eventually dismissed by experienced speedster Josh Hazlewood.

The sheer brilliance of stokes made the second Ashes Test much intense and entertaining.  He produced another remarkable innings for England, but his efforts unfortunately went in vain. 

After a heart-breaking defeat at Lord's, England would be desperate for a comeback in the third Test scheduled in Leeds on the 6th of this month.