"World Cup Final or Headingley": Ben Stokes Picks His Favourite Knock
Published - 31 Oct 2020, 03:49 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:36 AM
Ben Stokes has emerged as the finest all-rounder in the international circuit ever since his brawl outside the Bristol Night Club. Stokes has looked more matured as cricketer and taken responsibility for the side. 2019 had been a year to savour for Stokes where he emerged as the hero in World Cup final before leading England to a spectacular win in Headingley Ashes Test.
Stokes sat across the table with his English and Rajasthan Royals teammate Jofra Archer for a fun-filled rapid fire round. There were plenty of fun as well as serious questions the duo threw at each other with Archer asking Stokes to pick his better knock between 2019 World Cup final and Headigley.
Ben Stokes picked up 2019 World Cup final as his favourite knock
Stokes felt both of his knocks were equally good but went on to pick up his the 2019 World Cup final as his favourite as it earned them the ‘World Champions’ tag. It was the brilliance of Stokes which helped England level the score with New Zealand and take the match to Super Over. He hit an 84 runs off 98 balls in the final match.
“Can’t choose. Both are good.”
“I think the World Cup cause we have something to show at the end,” Stokes to Archer in the rapid fire round for Rajasthan Royals.
“World Champions,” he added.
Meanwhile at Headingley, England invited Australia to bat. It turned out to be a low-scoring affair in the first innings. Australia were bundled out for 179 with only David Warner (61), Marnus Labuschange (74) and Tim Paine (11) managing to get into the double figures. England’s response was upsetting to say the least. The hosts were sent packing for palty 67 runs as Australia resumed their batting in the second innings.
Labuschange again fired all cylinders, and showed why he is one of the finest Test batsman, scoring a well-composed 80. He was only supported with some cameo knocks from his teammates as Australia were all-out for 246 runs in their second essay.
In the chase, England were two down inside the seventh over for 15 runs. But well composed 77-run knock from captain Joe Root and a vital half-century from Joe Denly helped the English stay alive in the competition. But following their dismissal with the scoreboard reading 159/4, the onus was on to Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, to help their side cross the line.
Bairstow could not score more than 36 runs as the entire match rested on Stokes. It was then display of pure grit, aggression and technique as Ben Stokes single-handedly helped England clinch a one-wicket victory. He was well supported by his bespectacled last man Jack Leach who remained unbeaten on 1 run as he forged 76-run stand for the last wicket.
