THE GREATEST RUN CHASERS

Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler’s partnership at Old Trafford inspired one of England’s greatest ever run chases. Here are three other classics.

Stokes the hero v Australia — Headingley 2019

Ben Stokes made an astonishing 135 not out to be the hero in England’s greatest ever run chase. Chasing 359 to win the third Test and level the series, England still needed another 73 when Stokes was joined by last man Jack Leach. Stokes crashed huge sixes, Leach cleaned his glasses, Marcus Harris dropped Stokes in the deep and Nathan Lyon missed a run out. With one to win, Stokes crushed a cut through point for four. It had everything.

England beat Pakistan in the dark — Karachi, 2000

A dull series looked set for an inevitable 0-0 draw, only for Pakistan to collapse from 71-2 to 158 all out. England needed 176 in 44 overs. The problem was, dusk was approaching and conditions became darker and darker. Spectators and fielders were unable to see the ball but, due to Pakistan’s time-wasting, umpire Steve Bucknor refused to take the players off the field. Graham Thorpe made a superb unbeaten 64 not out and England secured a first series win in Pakistan for 39 years.

Butcher bludgeons Aussies — Headingley, 2001

With England already 3-0 down, the Ashes lost, and Australia having racked up 447 in their first innings in the Fourth Test, no one expected what was to come. Australia declared their second innings still with two days left, leaving England needing 315 to win. They weren’t expecting Mark Butcher to blitz a remarkable unbeaten 173 off 227 balls, smashing 23 fours and a six, as England knocked off the total inside 74 overs.