Ashes 2023 | Ben Stokes Becomes Third Cricketer To Achieve 'This' Unique Record
Ben Stokes during a training session at Old Trafford (Twitter)
England captain Ben Stokes joined an elite list of Test cricketers during his side’s all-important fifth Ashes 2023 Test match against the visiting Australians.
On Day 2 of the series-decider at The Oval, the all-rounder plucked a catch at short cover to assist Joe Root in sending Australian keeper Alex Carey back to the pavilion. The catch also turned out to be the 100th of Stokes’ career, which ultimately helped him scale a unique Test all-rounders record.
Stokes joins Kallis and Sobers for this Test record
Ben Stokes, having made his Test debut in December 2013, has minted 6,117 runs and has taken 197 wickets in the format. On Day 2 of the ongoing Ashes 2023 series-decider at The Oval, the 32-year-old also completed 100 Test catches, and ultimately extended his tally to 101 by pulling off a stunner at boundary to dismiss Pat Cummins.
Stokes has now become the first Englishman, and only the third in Test history to score over 6,000 runs, take over 100 wickets and grab 100-plus catches. The only other cricketers’ part of this elite all-rounders pack are former players Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis.
In the meantime, Stokes-led England shot out the Australians for 295 on Day 2, thus restricting their first innings lead to just 12 runs. The hosts’ batters went all-guns blazing in the second innings on Day 3, as they raced to 265-4 from just 49 overs to gain an upper hand in the contest.
Stokes himself scored 42 from 67 deliveries, and formed a 73-run partnership with Joe Root for the third wicket.
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