Ben Stokes revealed that his bowling performance during England’s final-day victory against India at Lord’s pushed him to some of the most challenging “dark places” he has encountered in Test cricket. Stokes had recently returned from hamstring surgery and was decisive in England’s thrilling 22-run win. This victory now puts England 2-1 up in the five-match series.
The game played out with edge and intensity, and tempers likely flared at times with both teams hightailing it from one second to the next. Stokes always had faith in teammate Jofra Archer, telling the media he expected the fast bowler to produce another spellbinding performance on day five.
“The Test match is on the line, it is different,” Stokes stated, emphasizing the pressure that comes with such pivotal moments in the game. The mood at Lord’s was electric. Stokes was particularly struck by the realization that all 22 players were absolutely playing for their countries, cutting another layer deep and really upping the stakes.
With a contentious rivalry already established, on-pitch tensions boiled over during the match, further raising the stakes in an already fiery matchup. Stokes was keen to stress how much both dressing rooms enjoyed having those conversations during the game. Nobody could swing a criticism at what transpired. “A bit of niggle out in the middle gets over-egged from people watching,” he remarked, suggesting that such competitive interactions are part of the essence of Test cricket.
On the penultimate evening of the match, Stokes still dramatically chose to knock down Akash Deep in the last ball of the day. This heart-pounding moment was a fitting prelude to an exhilarating day ahead. He began day five with a vigorous 9.2-over spell that resulted in the dismissal of KL Rahul for 39, demonstrating his determination and skill despite recent injury concerns.
Stokes was a revelation on Monday’s afternoon chamber session. He even came back to claim the crucial wicket of Jasprit Bumrah, after what had been an impressive 10-over spell. His attempt came after a disturbing crash with Ravindra Jadeja and Brydon Carse. Shortly after she had set off, Jadeja fell. Stokes was able to quickly get between the two players, keeping his eyes trained on the most important job he has for this team.
Reflecting on his experience, Stokes admitted to feeling a “whole new level of tiredness” after contributing significantly to England’s victory. He recognized that bowling under such pressure tested his limits, stating, “I thought I’d taken myself to some pretty dark places before, but bowling to win a Test for your country – if that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what does.”
His outstanding all-round performance not only saw him named player of the match, but further highlighted his key role within the England set-up during their triumph. Upon reflection, Stokes’ resilience and leadership on the field were key ingredients in securing his team’s victory in an excitingly contested match.
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