Ben Stokes, England‘s inspiring Test captain, has delivered an extraordinary and historic all-round performance on Day 4 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. His gritty century, following a crucial five-wicket haul in India’s first innings, has not only cemented England’s dominant position in the match but has also seen him rewrite several significant records in Test cricket history. Stokes’ remarkable display of resilience, leadership, and comprehensive all-round prowess, overcoming physical discomfort from the previous day, highlights his invaluable contribution to England’s cause in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
Ben Stokes becomes part of elite all-rounder club with Jacques Kallis and Garry Sobers
England’s Test captain Stokes showcased his renowned batting resilience, reaching his 14th Test hundred on Day 4, his second against India in the longest format. This century comes after a two-year wait for a Test ton, with his last one being in the Ashes in July 2023. Stokes had battled cramps on Day 3, forcing him to briefly leave the field after scoring 66, which was remarkably his maiden fifty-plus score across his last 11 Test innings. However, he returned to the crease later that day, remaining unbeaten on 77, and then converted that into a magnificent century on Day 4.
This crucial knock further extended England’s formidable lead over India’s first-innings total of 358. On Day 3, Stokes had already played a significant role by forging a massive 142-run partnership with Joe Root, which significantly strengthened England’s hold on the match. Beyond this commanding century, Stokes achieved a monumental career milestone, becoming only the third player in Test history to score over 7,000 runs and take 200 wickets.
Stokes reached the 7,000-run mark with a splendid six off Washington Sundar in the 149th over of England’s innings. He now joins the esteemed company of West Indies legend Sir Garry Sobers (8032 runs/235 wickets in 93 Tests) and South African stalwart Jacques Kallis (13289 runs/292 wickets in 166 Tests), holding the distinct honor of being the first Englishman to achieve this rare double. Additionally, just a day earlier on Day 3, Stokes surpassed 11,000 international runs across all formats, accumulating 11,048 runs in 272 matches at an average of 35.88, including 19 centuries and 60 fifties, further solidifying his impressive all-round career statistics.
Unprecedented records cement Stokes’ place among Cricket’s elite
Stokes’ all-round heroics in this Test have undeniably etched his name into multiple record books, showcasing a performance rarely seen in the sport. He became the first England captain in 148 years of Test cricket to register both a five-wicket haul and score a century in the same Test match. In India’s first innings, Stokes was England’s standout bowler, claiming five wickets for 72 runs, proving crucial in restricting the visitors.
This exceptional dual performance places him in an exclusive global club of designated captains to achieve this feat, with the last being Imran Khan in 1983. The other captains to achieve this rare double include Denis Atkinson (West Indies, 1955), Sir Sobers (West Indies, 1966), and Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan, 1977). Furthermore, Stokes is now only the fourth England all-rounder to achieve the prestigious double of a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test, joining the likes of Ian Botham (who accomplished this feat 5 times), Tony Greig (once) and Gus Atkinson (once).
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah set to retire from Test cricket? Mohammad Kaif drops a bombshell