Ben Stokes, the England Test captain, has established himself as one of the world's most exceptional all-rounders. With his formidable batting skills and lethal bowling, he has become a key player for England's cricket team. As he celebrates his 32nd birthday, let's reflect on five of his top performances that have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world.
A Century of Brilliance In a crucial group stage match against Australia, Ben Stokes showcased his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 102 runs off 109 deliveries. His explosive innings, comprising 13 boundaries and two maximums, played a vital role in securing England's place in the semi-finals.
Dominating with Bat and Ball During the Test series against Bangladesh, Stokes displayed his versatility by contributing both with the bat and ball. He took four wickets in the first innings and then smashed 85 runs in the second, playing a pivotal role in setting a challenging target of 285 runs for the opposition.
A Match-Winning Knock In the thrilling final of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Stokes played a heroic innings of 84 runs against New Zealand. With England struggling at 86-4, he partnered with Jos Buttler to form a crucial 110-run partnership. Stokes's composure in the final over, including two crucial sixes, led England to tie the game and eventually win on the basis of a boundary count.
A Memorable Counter-Attack During the third Ashes Test in 2019, Stokes orchestrated a remarkable counter-attack after a slow start. From just 3 runs off 72 balls, he unleashed his full potential, scoring a century and played a significant role in England's historic 350-run chase, their highest-ever successful run chase in Test cricket against Australia.
The Final Over Triumph In a captivating match against South Africa, Stokes demonstrated his prowess with the ball. With the Proteas chasing a challenging target, he claimed three crucial wickets for 35 runs. His well-timed dismissals, including two consecutive deliveries, helped England secure victory with just minutes remaining before the end of the day.