Top 3 Knocks By Ben Stokes In Test Matches
Ben Stokes celebrating England's one-wicket win in August 2019 (x.com)
In the grand stage of Test cricket where valor and resilience intertwine, legendary all-rounder Ben Stokes has emerged as the linchpin of England’s formidable modern-day line-up. A paragon of greatness, Stokes not only personifies the quintessential modern cricketer but also stands as a symbol of unyielding commitment to the classical format.
What distinguishes Stokes in the crucible of Test cricket is not merely his ability to navigate challenging situations but his penchant for turning the tide in England’s favor. Beyond the confines of conventional techniques, the hard-hitting middle-order basher embodies an aggressive batting approach that demoralizes opponents while elevating the artistry of cricket to new heights. An extraordinary testament to his love for the traditional format is evident in his voluntary retirement from white-ball cricket, a sacrifice made in the pursuit of mastering the longest format, and the stats speaks for themselves.
Celebrating the storied Test career of Ben Stokes which features some of the greatest batting exhibitions from recent times, here at OneCricket, we take a look at three of his most standout performances that captures the profound impact he has had on England’s Test cricket saga.
Top 3 Ben Stokes Batting Performances in Tests:
1. 135* vs Australia, Headingley 2019
Ben Stokes, batting at number five against Australia in the third Ashes Test from August 2019, pulled out one of the greatest run-chase knocks in the formats near 150-year history. Just a month after powering England to their first-ever World Cup win, the dazzling all-rounder packed 135 unbeaten runs off 219 balls at Headingley to bring his side to leveling terms with the age-old rivals at the 2019 home Ashes.
Countering the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon; Stokes belted 11 scorching boundaries and slogged eight towering sixes in his whirlwind 219-ball knock. Arriving to the crease at 141-3, Stokes added cautious runs with Jonny Bairstow before a middle-order collapse reduced England from 245-4 to 286-9 in their monumental run-chase task of 359.
The dynamic southpaw went on to share a rebellious 76-run partnership for the final wicket with Jack Leach to take England to a remarkable one-wicket victory. The innings marked his eighth Test match century and is often revered by Test purists the world over.
2. 258 vs South Africa, Newlands 2016
At a time when Ben Stokes was yet to become a household name, he punched out a record-shattering 258 against South Africa at Cape Town. Part of the travelling English group in late 2015, the cricketer was tasked to bat at number six by then captain Alastair Cook in the second Test of the four-match series between the two sides. Stokes eventually made his way to the crease at 167-4 at the launch of the final session of the opening day.
Unfazed by South Africa’s star-studded bowling line-up, the Englishman crashed hosts’ party with a career-best 258-run knock from just 198 balls. Notably, the innings marked only his third 100-plus score in the format, and he converted it into a double ton from 163 balls, thus eclipsing Virender Sehwag’s long-standing 168-ball effort to become Test cricket’s second-fastest double centurion.
In all, the left-hander pumped out 30 boundaries and 11 sixes in his innings, during which he even shared a staggering 399-run stand with fellow centurion Jonny Bairstow. Stokes’ Cape Town marathon took England to 629-6d at a run-rate of nearly 5 an over. While the cricketer listed his magnum opus batting performance in the innings, the match itself turned out to be a high-scoring draw between the two sides.
3. 155 vs Australia, Lord’s 2023
Ben Stokes, this time as England’s captain, made his way to the crease at number six against Australia on the penultimate day of their 2023 Ashes duel at Lord’s in July. Notably, his arrival and the match scenario at the time drew many similarities to his Headingley epic from four English summers ago, with his country requiring to pull off a miraculous run-chase to stay relevant in the series.
Chasing 371 and England faltering in their ‘BazBall’ approach at 45-4, Ben Stokes leathered Australia’s high-flying attack with a scintillating 155-run knock. The cricketer formed hundred-plus stands with Ben Duckett and silent partner Stuart Broad as his whirlwind effort blazed England past the 300-run mark. However, just as he threatened to replicate his Headingley heroic, Stokes’ innings was curtailed by Josh Hazlewood as Australia sealed the contest by 43 runs.
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