Benjamin Andrew Stokes, popularly known as Ben Stokes, is one of the finest all-rounders of the modern era. Synonymous with the clutch player, Stokes has been a sensation for England in all three formats. Retired from ODIs in 2022, the southpaw’s main focus is currently Test cricket, in which he leads the national team.
Stokes has donned the whites for England in 102 matches and has amassed 6316 runs at an average of 35.48, including 13 centuries, one double century and 31 half-centuries. With his medium pace bowling and breakthrough skills, the New Zealand-born cricketer has taken 198 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls.
Appointed Test captain in April 2022, Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum brought about a revolution in the longer format of the game called ‘Bazball’. As he turns 33 today (May 3), let’s take a look at his top three batting performances in the longest format of the game.
Here are Ben Stokes’ top 3 batting performances in Tests
3. 112 vs SA, The Oval, 2017
England elected to bat first in the third Test of the South Africa tour in 2017 and posted 353 runs on the board. Apart from Alastair Cook’s 88, the top-order didn’t make much of a contribution. Ben Stokes hung on till the end of the innings, scoring 112 off 153 balls with nine fours and four sixes.
With Stokes also contributing a wicket, South Africa were bowled out for 175 runs in their first innings. The hosts added another 313 runs in the second innings and their bowlers bowled out the Proteas side for 252 runs to win by a massive 239 runs. Stokes was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning hundred in the first innings and 31 off 38 in the second.
2. 155 vs Australia, Lord’s, 2023
Australia weathered Ben Stokes’ storm to record a 43-run victory in the second Test of the 2023 Ashes. Pat Cummins and Co. set a highly competitive target of 371. England started Day 5 needing 257 runs, but Stokes and Ben Duckett got off to a promising start as they added 132 runs for the fifth wicket.
Duckett fell in his 80s and a few overs later, they lost Jonny Bairstow in a controversial run-out by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. All the dramas that unfolded at The Lord’s ignited the fire inside captain Stokes, who singlehandedly punished the Aussie bowlers. He reached his century from 142 balls and continued the fight. However, Josh Hazlewood managed to bring the curtain down on a blockbuster knock (155 off 214) and that sealed the win for Australia and gave them a 2-0 lead in the series.
1. 135* vs Australia, Headingley, 2019
Ben Stokes’ masterclass at Headingley has to be one of the greatest knocks in Test cricket history. Chasing a massive target of 359, England were 286-9, 73 runs short of their target with just one wicket remaining. Realising that a defensive approach would do nothing for the team, Stokes decided to switch gears.
With a mix of sensible and explosive hitting, the southpaw found the runs quickly, while Jack Leach, at the other end, provided solid support. Stokes scored an unbeaten 135, including 75 off the last 42 balls, to seal an incredible victory over Australia in the third Ashes Test of 2019.
For more exclusive updates Visit BJSports to access Exclusive News that is only for you, incisive analysis, and updates, and to keep up with all of the latest information on your remarkable cricket favorite players and teams. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!