England all-rounder Ben Stokes continued his great run in the New Year as well, with a scintillating all-round performance at Cape Town that enabled England to the square the Test series against South Africa 1-1. After smashing 72 from 47 that set South Africa an improbable target of 438, Stokes then ran through the Proteas tail with three quick wickets on the last day, to undermine a stubborn fightback from the hosts. It was the latest in the growing line of memorable match-winning performances from Stokes. Here’s a look at how the New Zealand-born England cricketer has grown in stature as a world-class all-rounder over the years.
A promising start and World T20 meltdown
Stokes was destined for great things when he made his international debut in 2011. While he did not always live up to the billing, Stokes did enough to tell the world of the potential he possesses. In 32 Tests from his debut in December 2013 to 2016, the all-rounder scored 1,902 runs at an average of 33.96. The phase included four hundreds, including the staggering 258 against South Africa at Cape Town in the high-scoring drawn Test in January 2016. Stokes’ other centuries came against India at Rajkot (November 2016), Australia at Perth (December 2013), and New Zealand at Lord’s (May 2015). With the ball, Stokes claimed 6 for 36 against the Aussies at Nottingham in 2015, and 5 for 73 versus India at Mohali in November 2016.
In ODIs, from his debut in August 2011 to December 2016, Stokes had a lean phase with 1,034 runs in 47 matches at an average of 27.94, and 39 scalps averaging 37.76. Apart from a hundred against Bangladesh, he picked up 5 for 61 against the Aussies at Southampton in September 2013. Stokes had a horrible run in T20Is in this phase and hit a massive low when he was smashed for four consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite as West Indies stole the 2016 World Cup T20 crown. In I8 T20Is from September 2011 to December 2016, Stokes had only eight wickets to show at an average of nearly 50.
Brawl controversy and redemption
In September 2017, Stokes made news for unwanted reasons as he was arrested following a brawl in Bristol while celebrating a night out after a crushing victory over West Indies in a one-dayer. Following the controversy, Stokes was stripped of vice-captaincy and also lost his place in the Ashes squad, a series in which England were thrashed 4-0. In August 2018 though, the all-rounder was cleared of affray charges by the court, paving the way for his return to the England team.
Following his reinstatement, Stokes immediately made a difference and played a key role in England’s 3-0 Test triumph in Sri Lanka. Stokes contributed 187 runs with the bat, scoring two fifties. He also picked up 5 wickets with the ball, including 3 for 30 in the final Test at Colombo, as England outshone the Lankans in the latter’s den.
2019: The year of Ben Stokes
After many ups and downs, 2019 finally saw Stokes transform his potential into extraordinary performances. He was, without doubt, the star of the show for England in the World Cup at home. In 11 matches, he smashed 465 runs at a strike rate of 93.18, and an average of 66.42 with five fifties. With the ball, he chipped in with seven wickets. More than the numbers, it was the timing of his runs that stood out. In the World Cup final, when the crown seemed to be slipping away, he produced some fine big-hitting to take the game to the Super Over, in which he again scored a precious 8, as England stole the World Cup from New Zealand.
Then, at Headingley during the Ashes, he made an incredible 135 not out to lift England to a one-wicket victory in a chase of 359. England were 286 for 9 when the last man Jack Leach walked in. Stokes was stranded on 61. One man though believed victory could still be achieved and pulled off ‘mission impossible’.