During the second Ashes test, Australia were favourites when they picked up four wickets in the final session of the fourth day. Two consecutive wickets fell before lunch on the final afternoon, and they once again emerged as favourites. It was Ben Stokes, then, who started hitting runs and creating trouble for Australia. Everyone could remember the moments from 2019 when Stokes’ levelled the Ashes series with his amazing knock. Although this time England couldn’t repeat their Birmingham win, a stunning show from Stokes caused a stir on Social media and in world cricket. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli also reiterated his old comment on Stokes in an epic tweet for the England skipper.
Stokes made the highest score by any England Captain
Stokes is always a force to be reckoned with in England’s fourth-innings chase. Australia saw that happen four years ago, and now Stokes gave a similar performance and smashed 155 runs, which is the highest score by an English captain in the Ashes for 13 years. This is also the highest individual score ever by an England captain in the fourth innings of a test. Although his innings ended after Josh Hazlewood and wicketkeeper Carey dismissed him, Kohli heaped praise on the England skipper and reiterated his comments made in response to Stoke’s post on ODI retirement.
Kohli praised the English skipper
Kohli wrote, “I wasn’t joking when I called Ben Stokes the most competitive player I have played against. Highest quality innings, but Australia is just too good at the moment”. Last year, when the England All-rounder announced his retirement from the ODI format, Kohli paid his respects to Stokes and praised him. The veteran batter tweeted that Stokes is the most competitive player he ever played against.
Stokes single handedly reduced the target’s gap
When Stokes began his batting in the fourth inning, he didn’t have a strong start, in fact, the English skipper looked very cautious chasing the target, but he stood bravely with Ben Duckett. After Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal, Stokes scored 50 runs in the last five overs before lunch, which included 24 runs off Cameron Green’s over, where he hit three consecutive sixes too. In the second session, he continued reducing the margin single-handedly, with Stuart Broad providing assistance. After Stokes’ dismissal, the rest of the team disintegrated rapidly, and Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series with a 43-run victory.
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