Stokes back with a bang as Anderson landmark delayed
LONDON: Ben Stokes took his Test-best figures as the all-rounder’s six-wicket haul kept England spearhead James Anderson waiting for a landmark success on a dramatic start to the series finale against the West Indies at Lord’s.
A capacity crowd had gathered at ‘the home of cricket’ in the hope of seeing Anderson becoming the first Englishman to take 500 Test wickets.
He moved to within one of the milestone by taking the first two West Indies wickets to fall on the first day of the third and final Test.
But instead it was all-rounder Stokes who then did most damage as West Indies were shot out for 123, with the Durham paceman taking six for 22 in a near unplayable and unbroken 14.3 over spell of fast swing bowling spanning two hours either side of tea.
Yet that was far from the end of the wicket-taking spree, with England slumping to 46 for four in reply – a deficit of 77 runs – before bad light eventually ended play for the day to leave the match intriguingly poised with the series all square at 1-1.
Stokes’s return saw him become just the sixth England cricketer to put himself on both Lord’s honours board that record all those who have scored hundreds and taken five wickets in an innings – or 10 in a match – in a Test at ‘headquarters’.
When Stokes, who had only taken 10 wickets in six previous Tests this season, was asked if this was his best performance with the ball he replied: “Yes, I think so.
“It was obviously swinging when I got the ball in my hands – and when it does swing like that, it’s a good opportunity just to run up and know it’s going to do something,” the 26-year-old added.
England captain Joe Root, who had only allowed Stokes five overs in the second innings at Headingley last week as West Indies won by five wickets, was happy to let his old friend keep going on Thursday. — AFP