🎖 Ben Stokes Creates Old Trafford Magic with Historic All-Round Performance

England captain Ben Stokes delivered one of the most complete performances ever seen in Test cricket, dominating with both bat and ball on Day 4 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.https://amfarmers.com/

🔥 A Batting Masterclass

Resuming his innings on 77*, Stokes played with authority and precision, reaching 141 runs off 198 deliveries. His knock featured 11 boundaries and 3 powerful sixes, helping England amass a monumental first-innings total of 669—the fifth-highest in their Test history and the best ever recorded at this venue.

🎯 Destructive with the Ball Too

Earlier in the match, Stokes claimed 5 for 72 in India’s first innings—his fifth Test five-wicket haul and his first since 2017. This rare combination of a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match puts him in elite company, joining England greats Tony Greig, Ian Botham, and Gus Atkinson.

📊 Career Milestones Achieved

Stokes’s heroics also saw him cross 7,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets, making him only the third player in history—after Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis—to achieve this incredible double.https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/mohammed-siraj-has-a-workload-too-right-jasprit-bumrah-put-on-trial-again-you-cant-say-ill-just-bowl-3-overs-101755231060424.html

🏏 Match Situation

England hold a commanding 311-run lead, with India reduced to 1-2 early in their second innings after Chris Woakes struck twice in his first over. Although Shubman Gill and KL Rahul offered resistance, England’s grip on the match remains strong, and a win here would give them a 2-1 series lead.

💖 A Moment of Emotion

Upon reaching his century, Stokes looked skyward in a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Ged Stokes, before acknowledging the roaring Old Trafford crowd. It was more than just a cricketing milestone—it was a deeply personal moment of redemption and resilience.

📌 Key Highlights

• Century: 141 runs (off 198 balls) – first Test ton in over two years
• Bowling Impact: 5 wickets for 72 runs in first innings
• Unique Feat: First England captain to score a century and take five wickets in a Test
• Career Landmark: Surpassed 7,000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket
• Team Impact: England’s highest-ever Test total at Old Traffordhttps://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/mohammed-siraj-has-a-workload-too-right-jasprit-bumrah-put-on-trial-again-you-cant-say-ill-just-bowl-3-overs-101755231060424.html

✅ Why It Matters

• For England: A near-certain series lead and momentum going into the final match.
• For Stokes: Cemented his reputation as cricket’s premier all-rounder in the modern era.
• For Test cricket: Proof that the aggressive “Bazball” approach can deliver both entertainment and dominance.

🏆 Final Reflection

Ben Stokes’s performance at Old Trafford will be remembered as one of the finest all-round displays in Test cricket history. His 141 with the bat and 5-wicket haul not only put England in total control but also reaffirmed his place among the game’s greatest leaders and all-rounders.