Ben Stokes delivered a remarkable performance at Old Trafford, taking five wickets for 72 runs in India’s first innings during the second Test match of the series. This achievement marks Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years, underscoring his pivotal role as England’s captain and fourth seamer. The match became hugely important. Stokes demonstrated incredible endurance by bowling 129 overs in the series, a further testament to his workload in a match that may have three innings.
On Thursday, Stokes was the most critical component in India’s batting order crumbling. He claimed three of the six wickets that fell during the match. His prowess was particularly evident in a 10-over spell that took place either side of lunch, where he systematically worked through India’s lower order. After a very nervous period, Stokes was fortunate to survive an enormous shout for caught behind. To India’s credit, and with Joe Root’s slight nudging, he backtracked and chose to go for a review that eventually ended India’s innings.
Stokes sealed his five-wicket haul when Washington Sundar top-edged a short Stokes delivery to fine leg. Just a few minutes later, Anshul Kamboj found a way to poke one past. Remarkably, Stokes’s last five-wicket haul came 76 Tests ago. This creates a new Test cricket record for the most time elapsed between such extraordinary achievements. His scintillating bowling form has taken him to greater heights. He has now taken the most wickets ever taken in a four-match series.
Stokes was questioned on his fitness, on whether he should be England’s fourth seamer. The American showed his tenacity and deftness all over the field on this night. His leadership, passion and ferocity have been just the ticket to keeping England in the fight with India.
Zak Crawley, who played a key role with the bat, hailed Stokes’ all-round contributions as “phenomenal.” Crawley noted how happy they are off the pitch as well as on it — “We’re in a good place obviously I’m very happy. Room for improvement Overall, though I’m very pleased with how I played, it’s obviously never enough. Batting with Ben Duckett out there was great fun, especially putting a bit of pressure on them.
He mentioned the difficult conditions anticipated as the match went on. As a cricketer we’re all very pleased, it seems the pitch is going to deteriorate more and more we just want to bat well and get a lead. It’s going to be tricky in the fourth innings, it’s going to be tricky for them as well. It sure would be dandy to receive a lead on such by morning, added Crawley.
England are surging into the lead in the Test match. They will have to overcome both their impressive underdog story and the deteriorating pitch conditions widely reported to threaten the match.
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