Ben Stokes celebrates appointment as England captain with swashbuckling knock

Batting at number six, the newly appointed England Test captain Ben Stokes smashed a quickfire hundred off just 64 balls for Durham County cricket club against Worcestershire. The knock included a 34 run over from Josh Baker, a left-arm off-spinner, who conceded five sixes off five deliveries before the sixth delivery landed just short of the boundary for four.

This is Stokes’ first county cricket match of the season since he was unavailable previously due to a knee injury while on England’s tour of the West Indies earlier this year.

Durham, who are now cruising at 549/4, were at 360/4 when Stokes walked in to bat. Soon after, he took off, smashing the ball all around the park and breaching the 50 run mark in just 47 deliveries. What followed was no less than a nightmare for the opposition bowlers, especially the 18-year-old Josh Baker, who was plundered for 34 runs in an over.

Stokes breached the 100 run mark in style, with the fifth six off Baker, and the tenth six of his innings overall. This innings has come at a time when the all-rounder has just been named the new England Test captain.

“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer. I want to thank Joe for everything he has done for English cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role,” Stokes was quoted while taking over as skipper.

Eventually, the English Test skipper fell for a maverick 88-ball 161, which consisted of eight boundaries and seventeen maximums, helping Durham post 580/6 dec in the first innings.