In a historic Test match against Ireland, England all-rounder Ben Stokes made a significant impact as the captain despite not contributing much with either bat or ball. England emerged victorious by 10 wickets at Lord’s, and Stokes etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first captain to win a Test match without batting, bowling, or keeping wickets.
The match began with Ireland being bowled out for a modest 172 in their first innings, allowing England to take control. In response, England amassed a mammoth total of 524, courtesy of a record-breaking double century by Ollie Pope and a splendid knock of 182 by Ben Duckett. With a massive lead of 352 runs, England had a firm grip on the match.
Ireland’s resilience goes in vain
In the second innings, Ireland displayed resilience, scoring 362 runs. Despite being unable to contribute due to a knee injury, Stokes observed the match closely, gaining valuable insights into the conditions and the challenges that lie ahead when Australia comes visiting. He commended Ireland for their tenacity, recognizing their efforts as a valuable test for England.
Stokes, known for his aggressive approach, credited England’s proactive strategy in the match. The team’s decision to declare the first innings after losing just four wickets allowed them to potentially bowl Ireland out without needing to bat again. This approach demonstrated their intent to dominate the game.
Unfortunately, Stokes was unable to showcase his batting prowess or contribute with the ball due to his injury. However, his presence as captain and his astute observations from the sidelines proved invaluable. Despite his limited role in the match, Stokes’ leadership and tactical acumen were evident in England’s comprehensive victory.
Reflecting on the match, Stokes emphasized the importance of Ireland’s spirited fightback, which tested England’s mettle. He acknowledged that the changing nature of the pitch throughout the game provided valuable lessons and insights for the team, especially with Australia’s imminent visit.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
MS Dhoni at 42 does same but he is still beast at wicket keeping
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) June 3, 2023
Also Won IPL Without Playing
— Narendra Modi fan (@narendramodi177) June 3, 2023
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner with 0 Kills.
— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) June 3, 2023
That's not an achievement it's embarrassment
— Pushpa The Rule ? (@Allu_BhaiFan) June 3, 2023
Thala wins matches only by keeping though
— THE Notorious (@_real_notorious) June 3, 2023
People say his captaincy is just unbelievable but I think it's very overrated. He gets all the credit without even performing. Hundred against australia in 2019 ashes was his last good innings.
— Straw hat ? (@peakyBrother) June 3, 2023
Ben stocks pic.twitter.com/hBEMNHq6lQ
— P.E.K.K.A (@ex_gamer_45) June 3, 2023
Ben Stokes before the start of the match : pic.twitter.com/fhYJfeY0fu
— Roni ?? (@iamrsk013) June 3, 2023
Cricket Fans to Stokes pic.twitter.com/2qMBX3PpCL
— Sanyam Juyal (@JuyalSanyam) June 4, 2023
— ??Ayush? (@ayushsi8679) June 3, 2023
