England captain Ben Stokes delivered a stunning all-round performance in the Manchester Test against India, joining an elite group of cricketers with his record-breaking feats.
Stokes Enters Elite England Club
Ben Stokes achieved a rare milestone on the fourth day of the Fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He became only the fourth England cricketer in history to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test match.
Stokes’ incredible effort included a knock of 141 runs and a superb bowling performance of five wickets for 72 runs during India’s first innings. This puts him in an exclusive club alongside legendary English all-rounders Tony Greig, Ian Botham, and Gus Atkinson.
Praise Pours in for the Captain
Former England captain Michael Atherton was quick to laud Stokes’ achievements. Speaking to Sky Sports, Atherton called him “one of England’s greatest all-rounders,” emphasizing his “all-round excellence.”
“You just feel that his all-round game is coming together now,” Atherton remarked, noting it was Stokes’ first Test century in two years. He also highlighted Stokes’ current form, mentioning he is the leading wicket-taker in the series and was Player of the Match in the previous Test at Lord’s.
Another former captain, Alastair Cook, echoed the sentiments on BBC Sport. Cook praised Stokes’ return to form, stating, “It is great to see Ben Stokes back in the runs, his ability to read the situations and change gears, you wouldn’t want anyone else to play in this situation.”
England opener Zack Crawley also acknowledged Stokes’ bowling prowess. He highlighted Stokes’ unique ability to generate “away movement” and “zip” from right-handers, calling him a “proper wicket-taker.” Crawley admired Stokes’ “phenomenal effort considering the injuries he’s had” to regain this form.
Joining the Global All-Round Legends
Beyond his England-specific record, Stokes also reached a monumental global milestone. During his century, he completed 7,000 runs in Test cricket, making him only the third player in Test history to achieve both 7,000 runs and 200 wickets.
With a total of 7,032 runs and 220 wickets in 115 Tests, Stokes now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Jacques Kallis, who boasts 13,829 runs and 292 wickets, and Garry Sobers with 8,032 runs and 235 wickets.
Key Takeaways from Stokes’ Performance
- Ben Stokes is the fourth English cricketer to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test.
- He joined Jacques Kallis and Garry Sobers as only the third player globally with 7,000+ runs and 200+ wickets in Test cricket.
- This century marks his first Test hundred in two years, signalling a significant return to all-round form.
Stokes’ latest masterclass underscores his crucial role for England, solidifying his status as one of the game’s true all-round titans.
