The fourth match of the ongoing Test series between India and England ended in a draw after a thrilling series of ups and downs. England put in their best effort to win, but the resilient centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar thwarted all their strategies.
Sports News: Although the fourth match of the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England ended in a draw, this Test became a historically memorable one for England captain Ben Stokes. With a b performance with both the ball and the bat, Stokes not only won the Player of the Match award but also set two major records in Test cricket.
Century and 5-Wicket Feat
In the first innings of the Manchester Test, Stokes played a brilliant innings of 141 runs for England, which included 11 fours and 3 sixes. In addition, he also did wonders in bowling, taking 5 wickets. Thanks to this all-round performance, he was chosen as the Player of the Match. However, England missed out on the win as Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar turned the match towards a draw by scoring centuries in the second innings. But even then, Stokes' performance was recorded in England's cricket history.
Ben Stokes Creates History: 12th Time Player of the Match
This is the 12th time Stokes has received the Player of the Match award in his Test career. With this achievement, he has equaled England's legendary all-rounder Ian Botham, who also has 12 POTM (Player of the Match) awards to his name. Now, only former England captain Joe Root is ahead of Stokes, with 13 Test Player of the Match awards to his name.
If Stokes wins this award one more time, he will equal Joe Root's record as well. Most Player of the Match awards for England in Tests:
- 13 – Joe Root
- 12 – Ben Stokes
- 12 – Ian Botham
- 10 – Kevin Pietersen
- 10 – Stuart Broad
7000+ Runs and 200+ Wickets: Stokes Achieves Major Milestone
Ben Stokes crossed another milestone by scoring a century in the first innings of the Manchester Test. He has completed 7000 runs in his Test career. Also, he already has 230 Test wickets to his name. With this achievement, Stokes has now become the third cricketer in the world to complete the double of 7000+ runs and 200+ wickets in Test cricket. Before him, only two legends have achieved this feat:
- Garry Sobers (West Indies)
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Stokes' Test Career Stats (So Far)
- Matches: 115
- Innings: 206
- Runs: 7032
- Centuries: 15
- Half-centuries: 29
- Wickets: 230
These figures clearly show that Stokes is not only one of England's most influential all-rounders, but he has also been included in the list of the best Test all-rounders of the modern era.
