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When Ben Stokes Masterclass Powered England To A Record Run Chase In Headingley

Aashay Chopade

Ben Stokes after 2019 Headingely Win (Source:@cricketcomau/X.com)Ben Stokes after 2019 Headingely Win (Source:@cricketcomau/X.com)

Ben Stokes is known for his ability to deliver under pressure, and one of the finest examples of it is his unbeaten 135 in the final innings of the Headingley Test in the 2019 Ashes.

It was quite an eventful Test match. The home team, England, conceded a lead of 112 runs after getting bowled out for just 67 in reply to Australia's 179. In the second innings, the Aussies scored 246 runs, and England had a tough chase of 359 in front of them.

The English unit lost two wickets early, and after a decent stand, Joe Denly was sent back with his team's score at 141. Outwalked Ben Stokes, the man who took his country to the World title just a month back against New Zealand. He started on a cautious note with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow around him, but soon, he lost his partners, and England were reduced to 286-9 from 245-4 in no time.

Ben Stokes Scripts Historic Win With Memorable Ton

Josh Hazlewood was eyeing a five-wicket haul, and with the way he was going, it looked like Australia would win the game comfortably. England still needed 73 to pull off a win, and that's when Ben Stokes unleashed his true genius.

The left-handed batter made sure to keep the strike on the majority of dekiveries and kept finding timely boundaries to take his team close to the target. Jack Leach, on his part, defended well, while Ben Stokes managed to find crucial singles in the second half of overs. He smashed 11 fours and eight sixes in his knock and in flash reached his century as well.

The ninth wicket fell in the 116th over, and by the time the 126th over came, England were already on the verge of crossing the line. Pat Cummins was the bowler delivering that over, and on the fourth ball, he bowled it outside off. Ben Stokes stood tall in his crease and hammered through covers to take his team to an improbable win with an unbeaten 135.

England Eye Another Record Chase In Headingley

It was the second-highest score chased in Headingley, and now, at the same ground, England need to do better and chase down 371 if they want to win the opening Test of the five-match series against India.

Ben Stokes has not been at his best with the bat in recent times. However, he is known to bring out his best on big occasions and pressure situations, and it won't be a surprise if he comes up with another special knock on the final day of the Headingley Test again.