World Cup hero Ben Stokes hit an unbeaten ton as England registered a sensational victory by one wicket at Headingley to keep the Ashes alive.
Having been bowled out for a mere 67 in their first innings, a target of 359 set by Australia looked out of sight, to say the least. And at 286-9 and still needing 73 more runs to win, the victory was just way far to reach.
But with Jack Leach holding his ground, Stokes played an unbeaten knock, which will go down as one of the best in history of Ashes, to guide England to their highest successful fourth-innings chase.
As the game reached its business end, Stokes got into the groove and hit spinner Nathan Lyon for two straight sixes before hitting Pat Cummins for a scoop six, which reduced England’s target to 40.
I have no sister but if I did I’d want her to marry Ben Stokes.
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66)
Unbelievable scenes at the ashes ! can’t really describe what you did with that bat, hats of to you test cricket at its best
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
Ben Stokes, you absolute beauty! What an innings
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)
Not sure he can quite believe what he’s just done?
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8)
That was special from Ben Stokes. Single handedly winning the test match. Great viewing
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Overall, the all-rounder showed no mercy towards the Aussies, and hit 11 boundaries and eight sixes during his innings. Well, the game could have well truly taken a U-turn when Stokes was up against Lyon at a point when England needed just eight. An LBW appeal against the all-rounder was turned down by umpire Joel Wilson only for replays to suggest it would have been out. But having used all of their previous reviews, Australia had no other option but to move on.
Meanwhile, Stokes hit the winning runs by smashing Cummins for a four and this sent Twitter into a frenzy.
You cannot do that Ben Stokes .....
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket)
I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years. saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance.
Well done— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott)
Greatest knock of all time .... Must be .... .... I LOVE YOU ....
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Truly remarkable ♂️
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16)
Hi, my name is Ben, Ben Stokes!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24)
We forget that WON England the game with that 25 Over spell in the 2 nd Aussie innings ... The guy is a bloody freak ... Just give him his Knighthood now ...
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Imagine being Man of the Match in the greatest ODI ever played and Man of the Match in the most stunning chase in Ashes history, all in the space of six weeks. It’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of what Ben Stokes has achieved this season.
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale)
Sir Ben Stokes has fulfilled and crossed Sir Ian Botham's legacy now. He was the chosen one.
— Soham Sarkhel (@RightArmRubbish)
Oh and Ben Stokes yesterday, that was one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
— Josh ☝ (@JSess_)
still getting over yesterday ! Still buzzing ! Just brilliant lads! Lets get the ashes home now
— sidneyward (@siddyward)
Feature image courtesy: AFP /Paul Ellis
