The Ben Stokes-led Bazballers, England will lock horns against the Host India in the third Test at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15. This Test will earmark a historical importance for Stokes, as this will be his 100th appearance in the longest format.
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In 99 Tests played so far, he has amassed 6251 runs at an average of 36.34 with 13 centuries to his name, while in the bowling department, he has picked up 197 wickets averaging 32.08.
Stokes have given various match-winning performances in Tests, let’s examine his top performances
135* vs Australia in Leeds in 2019:
When talking about Stokes as a batter, the unbeaten 135 against Australia in 2019 will come to everyone’s mind, as he single-handedly decimated the Australian bowling around the park with a flurry of magical Strokeplay, his innings included 19 boundaries.
England, after being humiliated in the first innings, getting bowled out for 67, was given a target of 359 in the fourth innings, Stokes played a blinder of an innings, he added 76 runs for the final wicket along with Jack Leach who remained unbeaten on 1, taking England to victory for ages.
258 vs South Africa in Cape Town in 2016
In a game against South Africa in Cape Town, Ben Stokes played a mind-blowing innings scoring 258 runs, he also partnered with Jonny Bairstow and the duo destroyed the South African bowlers on their den aggregating 399 runs for the sixth wicket, which is still the highest partnership for sixth wicket in Tests. Stokes mustered 30 fours and 11 maximums in his innings. This is also his highest score in Tests till now.
176 vs West Indies in Manchester in 2020
In a game against West Indies when England were reeling at 81/3, Ben Stokes came to rescue the team with a breath-taking batting display, his cautious batting proved too costly for West Indies as they lost by 113 runs.
Stokes scored a valiant 176 runs that still remains his second-highest score in Tests, he added 260 runs with Dominic Sibley in that game taking England to 469/9 before the declaration. His marathon 356-ball knock included 17 fours and 2 sixes in marathon 356 balls, respectively.
155 vs Australia in Lords in 2023
During the second Ashes Test in 2023 at the iconic Lords ground, Ben Stokes almost repeated the Headingley heroics scoring 155 runs off 214, counter-attacking knock, including 9 fours and 9 sixes while chasing 371, his efforts went in vain as England lost the game by mere 43 runs margin. This knock will be one of the top knocks in losing cause for ages.
6/22 vs West Indies in Lord’s in 2017
Back in 2017, during the first innings against West Indies, Ben Stokes came into the party with the ball, bowling a fearsome spell to rattle their batting unit for a meagre 123 runs. He picked up six wickets in the game including the wicket of Kieran Powell who top-scored with 39 runs. Stokes ended his spell at 6/22, which is his best bowling figures in Tests.