Key Points

Ben Stokes has etched his name in history by becoming the first England captain to score 300+ runs and take 15+ wickets in a Test series. His dominant performance against India puts him in elite company alongside Andrew Flintoff, the last Englishman to achieve this rare double. Stokes also matched Ian Botham's record for Player of the Match awards, showcasing his all-round brilliance. With the series poised at 1-2, England will look to Stokes for another heroic display in the final Test.

Key Points: Ben Stokes Joins Flintoff in Rare England Test Double Against India

  • Stokes scored 304 runs & took 17 wickets in the India series
  • First England captain to achieve the rare 300-15 Test double
  • Joins Flintoff as only England players with this feat in 40 years
  • Tied Ian Botham for second-most POTM awards for England (12)
3 min read

Stokes becomes second player after Flintoff to achieve rare double for England in Test series

Ben Stokes becomes the first England captain to score 300+ runs and take 15+ wickets in a Test series, matching Andrew Flintoff's historic feat.

"Stokes has been merciless, relentless, producing miracles effortlessly – Match Report"

Manchester, July 28

Skipper Ben Stokes became the first-ever England captain to secure an aggregate of 300-plus runs and 15-plus wickets during a Test series.

Stokes achieved this milestone during his side's fourth Test match against India at Manchester's Old Trafford Stadium. During the match, he struck a brilliant 198-ball 141, his first century in two years and took six wickets, including a first-innings five-wicket haul.

Now, in this series with the bat, he has made 304 runs in seven innings at an average of 43.42, with a century to his name. With a ball in hand, Stokes has been merciless, relentless, producing miracles effortlessly. He is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 scalps at an average of 25.23, with best figures of 5/72 and has also taken a four-fer.

The only other England player to achieve this double in a Test series in the last 40 years was Andrew Flintoff in the Ashes 2005. During that series, 'Freddie' scored 402 runs at an average of 40.20, with a century and three fifties and also took 24 wickets at an average of 27.29, with two four-fers and a fifer to his name.

Stokes also tied with legendary all-rounder Ian Botham (12 'Player of the Match' honours) for securing the second-most POTM awards for England and just one short of batter Joe Root's 13 'Player of the Match' awards.

Coming to the match, England opted to field first. Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 in 107 balls, with 10 fours and a six), Sai Sudharsan (61 in 151 balls, with seven fours) and Rishabh Pant (54 in 75 balls, with three fours and two sixes) took India to 358 runs, with Stokes (5/72) troubling the visitors with timely wickets and not letting a massive partnership happen. Jofra Archer also took 3/73.

In the second innings, Zak Crawley (84 in 113 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Ben Duckett (94 in 100 balls, with 13 fours) produced a 166-run stand for the opening wicket, sending India on leather chase. The presence of Joe Root (150 in 248 balls, with 14 fours) and Stokes (141 in 198 balls, with 12 fours and a six) aggravated Indian bowlers, who saw these two produce milestone after milestone on their way to a 311-run lead. England was skittled out for 669 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja (4/143) being the pick of the bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah (2/112) had an off day at work.

After Chris Woakes reduced India to 0/2, KL Rahul (90 in 230 balls, with eight fours) and skipper Shubman Gill (103 in 238 balls, with 12 fours) caused England's faces to tense, batting three sessions for an 188-run stand. After these two were done, the spin all-rounder duo of Jadeja (107* in 185 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Washington Sundar (101* in 206 balls, with nine fours and a six) absolutely rattled and frustrated England with their resolve and wall-like presence, taking India to a 114-run lead, ending at 425/4 in a draw.

The series is still alive at 1-2, with the final match at The Oval to start from July 31.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya M
While Stokes was brilliant, our boys showed great character in the 4th innings! Jadeja and Sundar's partnership was pure test cricket at its best. This series has been 🔥 so far!
A
Aryan P
Honestly, our bowling attack looked toothless against Stokes and Root. Time to bring in fresh legs for the final Test? Maybe give Prasidh Krishna a chance instead of Shardul?
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Shweta Y
Flintoff in 2005, Stokes now - England always produces these match-winning all-rounders! When will India find our next Kapil Dev? Hardik is good but not at this test level yet.
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Nikhil C
That partnership between Gill and Rahul gives me hope for our batting future! But we need to work on our bowling strategies. Why aren't we using the short ball more against Stokes?
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David E
As someone who's watched cricket in both countries, I must say Stokes' performance reminds me why test cricket is the ultimate format. That century under pressure was pure class!
K
Kavya N
The real hero was our lower order batting! After being 0/2, to draw the match shows our bench strength. Washington Sundar deserves a permanent spot in the team

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