BEST SUMMER’S DAY EVER!
RECORD SIZZLER ...AND ENGLAND PULL OFF A GREAT ASHES MIRACLE
BEN STOKES single-handedly kept England’s Ashes dreams alive at Headingley yesterday with an astonishing performance and was hailed a ‘superhuman freak’. Just weeks after his World Cup heroics, Stokes’ 135 not out took England to a remarkable one-wicket win, with the bespectacled Jack Leach’s one not out a crucial part of their match-winning 76-run partnership. “Superhuman sums Ben up perfectly,” said skipper Joe Root, choked with emotion. “He’s a bit of a freak to do it time and again and today was ridiculous, wasn’t it?” Australia, leading the series 1-0, looked all set to reclaim the Ashes as England, chasing
359, still needed 73 when last man Leach joined Stokes at the crease.
Stokes then took control to produce a never-to-be-forgotten innings that had the greats of the game watching in awe.
Stokes said it was a “knock-off Nandos” and a couple of Yorkie bars that provided the fuel for his knock.
“Walking off there at the end when the whole of Headingley was standing up and celebrating was a very special moment,” said Stokes. “Moments like that don’t come along very often.
“It was just an amazing game to be a part of, to be there at the end and still keep our Ashes hopes was a pretty special feeling.
“It’s certainly close to the World
Cup final as a feeling – I really enjoy being the person that Joe turns to in situations when it isn’t going our way and just like to stand up and do the hard yards as well.
“The best thing about being an all-rounder is that you get to influence the game with both ball and bat; you’re never out of the game.
“I feel tired now. My wife and kids had come down the night before and last night I think had a knock-off Nandos and two bars of Yorkie biscuit and raisin. And a couple of coffees in the morning.”
Stokes’ performance stirred memories of both Sir Ian Botham at this ground in 1981 as well as Andrew Flintoff in 2005 when an Ashes series was defined by the contributions of England’s star all-rounder.
Root said: “Ben has that experience of the World Cup final to call on, but to do it in Test cricket, to have the calmness and the skill and the belief is just phenomenal.
“For us to be sat here, very much in this series, one wicket away from being out of it is an amazing feeling.
“Ben’s the ultimate team man and he will do anything for every single player, that’s why he’s a brilliant vice-captain. He drags people with him.”
Geoffrey Boycott, below, said: “I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years.”
David Gower said: “That was the most extraordinary performance I have seen from anyone ever.”
Stokes was at the heart of the turnaround after England had been bowled out for 67 in their first innings, bowling 24.2 lung-bursting overs, more than any other, and then producing with the bat.
“Ben Stokes was unbelievably good, it was one of the great innings,” said Aussie skipper Tim Paine.
“We missed a few opportunities and a guy played out of his skin to take a Test match away.
“Ben managed to do things that you normally wouldn’t and you’ve got to give him credit.
“I didn’t love today but I love watching him play. He plays the game the way you’d like to play it.”