On this day in 2019: Ben Stokes seals an Ashes win for the ages

By Sports Desk August 25, 2023

Ben Stokes wrote himself into the history books with one of the all-time great Test innings on this day in 2019.

The all-rounder struck an incredible 135 not out to lead England to a thrilling win over Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley, the home side completing a record run chase of 362 for nine.

Australia looked to be on the verge of retaining the urn after reducing the hosts to 286 for nine, but an unforgettable last-wicket union between Stokes and Jack Leach – who contributed one in an unbroken 76-run partnership – turned the tide.

It came barely a month after another memorable Stokes innings helped England to World Cup glory at Lord’s and will go down in the annals of time.

Stokes hit eight sixes and 11 fours as he single-handedly hauled his side over the finish line when defeat had previously looked a certainty, with England having been bowled out for 67 in their first innings.

“I’m obviously over the moon that we’ve managed to stay in the series. We knew if we lost this game then the Ashes were gone,” Stokes said.

“When a number 11 comes out needing 70 to win, I knew what I had to do in terms of the game situation. The only time I started to get a little bit nervous or panicking was when we got into single figures.

“To be sat here, especially after getting bowled out for 67, to still be in with a chance of getting the urn back is an amazing feeling.”

In the end, Stokes’ innings did not count for much in the series as defeat at Old Trafford in the following game meant Australia retained the Ashes, with the series eventually drawn 2-2.

But Stokes won huge acclaim for his performance, winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year four months later and cementing himself into Ashes folklore.

Related items

  • Bairstow and Moeen left out of England's white-ball squad Bairstow and Moeen left out of England's white-ball squad

    Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali have both been left out of England's white-ball series squad, with five uncapped players named.

    As Jos Buttler looks to the future, Warwickshire batting all-rounders, Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley, have been given their first international call-ups for the three-match T20 series against Australia next month.

    Essex batter Jordan Cox, Hampshire seamer John Turner and Leicestershire left-arm bowler Josh Hull, who was named as Mark Wood's replacement in the Test squad to play Sri Lanka, have also been picked.

    The latter three will also be involved for the five one-day internationals that follow.

    World Cup winners Bairstow and Moeen, who have been regular fixtures in England's white-ball squad for over a decade, could have made their final international appearances after being left out of the squad, with Chris Jordan also being overlooked.

    Brydon Carse, however, has been recalled for both squads after serving a betting ban, while Saqib Mahmood returns for the T20 series after recovering from injury. Buttler will also be fit to feature after overcoming a calf injury.

    Marcus Trescothick will lead England for the first time against Australia after being named Matthew Mott's interim replacement.

    Mott left in July following England's semi-final exit to eventual champions India in the T20 World Cup, having also failed to help England defend their 50-over world title in 2023. 

    The first match of the T20 series will take place on September 11 at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. 

    England T20 squad to play Australia:

    Jos Buttler (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.

    England ODI squad: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner.

  • Rain restricts play to 15 overs on day one between West Indies and South Africa Rain restricts play to 15 overs on day one between West Indies and South Africa

    Aiden Markram lost his wicket as South Africa reached 45-1 before rain stopped play on day one of the first Test against West Indies.

    Markram was dismissed on nine by Jason Holder (1-2) in the 14th over.

    Kemar Roach (0-6) had Markram on the back foot throughout, though it was Holder who made the breakthrough with a wicked delivery that sent the South African's off-stump tumbling.

    Tony de Zorzi reached 32 not-out and Tristan Stubbs was on two not-out when, during the tea break, play was abandoned for the day.

    It means 75 overs of play were lost on day one in Trinidad, where play will start early on day two.

  • Vandersay rips through India as Sri Lanka snatch series lead Vandersay rips through India as Sri Lanka snatch series lead

    Jeffrey Vandersay tore through India's batting lineup with six wickets as Sri Lanka snatched the ODI series lead with a 32-run victory in Colombo.

    Leg-spinner Vandersay managed 6-33 – his best international figures – as Rohit Sharma's tourists collapsed in remarkable fashion on Sunday, falling 1-0 down with one ODI remaining in the three-match series.

    India held their hosts to a modest 240-9 in the first innings as Washington Sundar (3-30) led the way, while Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis anchored at either end of the batting order with 40 apiece.

    Rohit responded by crashing 64 off just 44 deliveries as India raced to 97 without loss, only for the captain to fall when attempting to reverse sweep a climbing Vandersay delivery in the 14th over.

    The 34-year-old spinner would soon remove Shubman Gill, on 35, and Shivam Dube without scoring in the same over, before trapping Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in front to complete his first ODI five-wicket haul.

    KL Rahul followed to leave India struggling at 147-6, though Axar Patel offered resistance before falling on 44 to Charith Asalanka, who then removed Sundar and Mohammed Siraj.

    Arshdeep Singh was then run out as a battling Sri Lanka seized control heading into the final clash on Wednesday.

    Data Debrief: Vandersay becomes Sri Lanka's new Murali

    Vandersay had only managed 27 wickets in 20 previous ODI innings for Sri Lanka, though added six with an eye-catching showing of leg-spin bowling here.

    His previous 4-10 best in this format came against cricketing minnows Zimbabwe, but a remarkable six-wicket haul will live long in the memory after dismissing two India greats in Rohit and Kohli.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.