BEN THE BRILLIANT!
Ashes hero Stokes fires England to one of the greatest sporting comebacks
BEN Stokes led England to a sensational, historic victory over Australia yesterday in what has already been dubbed “the greatest performance of all time”.
Stokes was the hero of the hour scoring an incredible unbeaten 135, which included eight sixes.
Former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook said simply: “That is the most extraordinary Test innings ever played by an England batsman.”
And England legend Geoff Boycott said: “I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life, but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years.
“Ben Stokes saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night was also full of praise.
He said: “Just caught up with the most extraordinary end of a Test match. What a performance from England – incredible batting from Ben Stokes #Ashes.”
And Radio 1 DJ Greg James said the innings was “the most incredible bit of sport ever”.
It marked a dramatic turnaround for Stokes who just a year ago was acquitted in a crown court after getting involved in a brawl which led to him losing the England vice captaincy.
He was cleared of affray and immediately returned to the side.
And just 12 months later he powered England to win the world cup and then this dramatic Ashes test. His efforts evoked memories of Ian Botham’s famous escape act for England in Headingley back in 1981. The odds on Stokes winning BBC sports personality of the year have been slashed to 4/1 on.
And bookies were even starting to take bets on whether he would be awarded a knightood.
There was an extraordinary atmosphere inside the ground as a sell-out capacity crowd roared Stokes on.
On the famous Western Terrace there was jubilant soccer-style chanting as England edged ever closer to an epic victory. There were reports of kitchen staff at Headingley in tears. At the G7 summit over in Biarritz, English
reporters were scolded by officials for cheering too loudly as they followed the run chase.
On hitting the winning run his partner Jack Leach ran up and kissed him. Stokes joked: “It was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
A clearly emotional Stokes added: “I never give up really. It is never over until it’s over.”
It was the first time in 130 years that a team scoring less than 70 in their first innings had gone on to win a Test match. It saw England tie the Ashes series with two games left to play.
And in the midst of all the jubilation someone hacked the official Wikipedia cricket pages to write: “The Ashes are a Test match series played between Ben Stokes and Australia.”
WHO can remember a Bank Holiday like it? High temperatures, unbroken sunshine and a bunch of broken Australians. No one could want for more.
Normally, when it comes to sport, England are past masters at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But yesterday it was very different.
Under blazing sunshine at Headingley in Leeds, Ben Stokes came up with one of the all-time great Test match performances as he hit 135 not out and powered England to a fantastic one-wicket victory – stopping the Aussies from claiming the series.
There is little in sporting history to compare with it and nothing stretches the nerves and the tension quite like the Ashes. Stokes showed none of those fears as he battled on with just the last man Jack Leach to partner him against the power of Australia.
Fans watching at home, on big screens and at the ground itself could enjoy the hottest late August bank holiday weekend ever – with temperatures reaching 32.7C (90.7F) in west London.
The Met Office confirmed the new record temperature, which was set at Heathrow and beats the previous one of 31.5C (88.7F), set in 2001.
Meanwhile, in Sydney it was windy, rain was forecast and temperatures were expected to reach only 14C.
So basically, we won twice.