Birthday special: Ben Stokes – His best knocks in different formats
Ben Stokes will qualify as one of the greatest all-rounders to have ever worn the England jersey. He has represented England in 92 Tests, 105 ODIs and 43 T20Is. While he has amassed 5712 runs and has scalped 194 wickets in Tests, he has scored 2924 runs in ODI cricket and has picked up 74 wickets.
In the T20I format of the game, Stokes has scored 585 runs and has dismissed 26 batsmen. Stokes is also a part of the IPL and has played 45 matches. While he has scored 935 runs, he has also scalped 28 wickets. With Stokes turning 32 today, let us look at one best knock from Stokes in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and IPL cricket.
4. T20Is – 47(30) vs South Africa (2021)
In a T20I encounter between England and South Africa at Durban, Ben Stokes’ 30-ball 47* allowed the England side to post a massive total of 204/7. Stokes’ innings was filled with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Apart from Stokes, Jason Roy also scored a quickfire 40 as well. In reply, even though Quinton De Kock scored a resplendent 65 off just 22 deliveries, the Proteas fell short of the target by just 2 runs.
3. IPL cricket- 107* (60) vs Mumbai Indians (2020)
Ben Stokes’ best IPL innings came on 25th October 2020 against the mighty Mumbai Indians (MI) side. Batting first, the Rohit Sharma led outfit scored 195/5 in their allotted 20 overs against the Rajasthan Royals. In reply, Stokes bludgeoned the Mumbai bowling attack. Opening the batting, the left-hander scored a 60-ball 107* to help his side to canter past the target with 8 wickets to spare. Stokes’ innings was filled with 14 fours and 3 sixes.
2. ODI cricket – 84* (98) vs New Zealand (2019)
England and New Zealand clashed in the summit clash of the 2019 World Cup. The Kiwis batted first and set England a target of 242 for victory. England were reduced to 86/4, but Stokes stood up for his side on the biggest stage in ODI cricket. He scored a defiant 84* off 98 deliveries, and the match ended in a tie. The Super Over was also tied and England won the match by virtue of scoring more boundaries. And, Stokes won the Player of the Match award.
1. Test cricket – 135* vs Australia (2019)
The 135* that Stokes scored against Australia in 2019 will qualify as one of the greatest knocks played by an England batsman in The Ashes. Australia batted first and were bowled out for 179 in their first innings, with Jofra Archer scalping 6 wickets. England produced an even miserable performance and were shot out for 67. Australia scored 246 in their second essay and set England a target of 359 for victory. And, Ben Stokes single-handedly led his side past the finish line, by scoring a 219-ball 135*. Joe Denly and Joe Root scored half-centuries as well, as England romped home with just a wicket to spare to stun the Australians.
