The year 2019 was the greatest year in Ben Stokes’ cricket career. The star all-rounder first led England to a historic World Cup triumph and then helped his side get a win against all odds in the third Test of the Ashes 2019 at Headingley. The historic event took place on 25th August 2019 as Stokes’ knock helped England keep the Ashes series alive.
England came into the Test after being 1-0 down after the first two matches. England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision to bowl first was vindicated by the bowlers as Jofra Archer blew away the Aussies with his searing pace, bundling them put for 179 in their first innings. Archer picked up 6/45 as England hoped to gain a massive lead in the first innings.
What followed after was a horrendous batting collapse as Australia skittled England for a mere 67. Josh Hazlewood starred with the ball, picking up 5/30. Australia put up a decent total in the third innings, setting England a mammoth ‘359’ to chase in the fourth innings.
England had a horrible start, once again, losing both their openers on the score of 15. Joe Root and Joe Denly added 126 runs for the third wicket, giving England some hope. England were left struggling at 286/9 in their chase, requiring another 73 runs to win.
The Headingley crowd witnessed a ‘once in a lifetime’ innings by Ben Stokes, who went absolutely berserk as he unleashed his beast mode on the Australian bowlers. The last couple of hours were full of drama where Australia failed to convert some chances and Stokes was determined to get England over the line. With the target down to single digits, off-spinner Nathan Lyon missed a simple run-out chance as tailender Jack Leach got a life.
It looked like England had all the luck on their side as the umpire Joel Wilson turned down an lbw appeal from Australia which the replays suggested would’ve gone on to hit the stumps. Stokes stood tall against all the drama and held his nerve to guide his team home, etching his name in the history books forever.
The Test match is counted among the greatest Tests in the history of the Ashes. It’s been two years since the cricketing fraternity witnessed Stokes’ scintillating knock. Here’s how Twitter is celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Headingley Test:
#OnThisDay in 2019@benstokes38 played the innings of his life time at #Headingley when he scored a brilliant 135*(219) sharing two vital partnerships 86 & 74 J.Bairstow & J.Leach respectively.
AUS – 179/10 & 246/10.
Eng- 67/10 & 362/9.#TheLionPrideSL
?: Google Images. pic.twitter.com/O1g6nA8jRb— The Lion's Army (@TheLionPrideSL) August 25, 2022
Imagine Nathan Lyon caught that ball when Patty threw it to him from the point region. ? You need talent, courage, determination etc. and whatever. You name it. You need LUCK too. #CricketTwitter #Headingley https://t.co/7e3tJTzdWI
— CHIEF?? (@SanjeewaKUK22) August 25, 2022
CUT AWAY, CUT AWAY FOR FOUR!
Three Years Ago Today, Ben Stokes Played One of the All-Time Great Test Innings.#Cricket #BenStokes #Headingley #TheAshes2019 #OnThisDaypic.twitter.com/sqwnU9ZUGF
— Rehan Mazhar (@rehanch04) August 25, 2022
Three years ago today. Time to watch again, I think…#benstokes #headingleyhttps://t.co/qX8KMtBXMH
— G A J Cook ??? (@ErsatzWodehouse) August 25, 2022
#OTD in 2019, Ben Stokes' 135(219) and Jack Leach's 1(17) helped England to pulled off a miracle fourth innings chase of 359 against Australia at Headingley.#BenStokes #JackLeach #Headingley #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/VRpMUEnIMa
— S.G.Prabu ?? (@sgprabuofficial) August 25, 2022
