Ben Stokes, born on 4 June 1991, is an English international cricketer serving as the captain of the England Test team. He also features prominently for England in ODIs and T20Is. Representing Durham in domestic cricket, Stokes has showcased his skills in various Twenty20 leagues globally. Notably, he played a pivotal role in England’s victorious campaigns in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England Cricket Team played a huge role in the victory against India in the first Test of the ongoing Test Series. His inning proved to be a gamechanger in the context of the match. Stokes would look to replicate the same heroics in the second Test at the Visakhapatnam.
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Ben Stokes Test Records & Stats
In his Test career spanning 98 matches, Ben Stokes has amassed an impressive 6,193 runs at an average of 36.42, including 13 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His highest score of 258 reflects his ability to dominate the game with the bat. As a bowler, Stokes has delivered 11,471 balls, claiming 197 wickets at an average of 32.07. He has four instances of taking five wickets in an innings, with his best bowling figures being 6/22. With a safe pair of hands, he has also taken 103 catches in the field.
| Competition | Test |
|---|---|
| Matches | 98 |
| Runs scored | 6,193 |
| Batting average | 36.42 |
| 100s/50s | 13/31 |
| Top score | 258 |
| Balls bowled | 11,471 |
| Wickets | 197 |
| Bowling average | 32.07 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 4 |
| 10 wickets in match | 0 |
| Best bowling | 6/22 |
| Catches/stumpings | 103/– |
Ben Stokes Test Career
In the 2013–14 Ashes series against Australia, Stokes made his debut in the 2nd Test, claiming the wickets of Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle while contributing 1 run in England’s first innings. He later scored 120 in the second innings of the 3rd Test, his maiden Test century, and made notable bowling contributions throughout the series, finishing as England’s third-highest run-scorer with 279 runs and second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets. Stokes was particularly lauded for his batting resilience against Mitchell Johnson’s hostile fast bowling on the WACA surface.
In the subsequent tour against Pakistan in the UAE, Stokes impressed with both bat and ball, notably taking 4–57 and scoring 57 runs in the first Test. However, his performance in the second match was less impactful, and he suffered a shoulder injury in the third Test.
During the 2015–16 tour of South Africa, Stokes showcased his prowess with an outstanding innings of 258 runs in the second Test, the second-fastest double century in Test cricket history. His partnership with Jonny Bairstow set a new world record. Despite Stokes’ stellar performance, England lost the fourth and final match of the series.
In the Test series against India, Stokes continued to make significant contributions, scoring a century in the first Test and taking crucial wickets throughout the series. He was named England’s player of the series for his outstanding all-round performance.
In the 2019 Ashes series, Stokes played a pivotal role in England’s success, particularly in the third Test at Headingley, where his unbeaten 135* guided England to a record chase of 359 runs. His innings has been hailed as one of the greatest of all time. Stokes ended the series as England’s top run-scorer and was named the player of the series.
Continuing his good form, Stokes performed well in the tour of New Zealand, despite England’s series loss.
During the 2019–20 tour of South Africa, Stokes excelled, earning the player of the series award for his contributions. In the second Test, he played a pivotal role with scores of 47 and 72, setting up a target of 437 runs for South Africa and then breaking their resistance by taking the final three wickets to level the series. His first-innings score of 120 in the following match was crucial in securing an innings win for England, giving them a 2–1 lead in the series. Despite modest scores in the final test, Stokes took four wickets in the match as England secured a series victory.
In the 2020 West Indies series, Stokes was appointed captain for one of the teams in the warm-up match and later led England in the first Test in the absence of regular captain Joe Root. He marked his captaincy debut with his 150th Test wicket and a stunning innings of 176 runs in the first innings of the second Test, recording his tenth Test century.
In April 2022, Stokes was named England’s Test captain following Root’s resignation. Under his captaincy and with the guidance of coach Brendon McCullum, Stokes introduced a new style of play known as Bazball, characterized by its fearless and entertaining approach.
Stokes began his captaincy tenure with a 3–0 clean sweep against New Zealand in June 2022, contributing 194 runs in five innings. He continued his impressive performance in July 2022, leading England to a 2–1 Test series victory against South Africa, where he was once again named Player of the Series for his all-round contributions.
Ben Stokes Early Life
Benjamin Andrew Stokes was born on June 4, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand, to Deborah and Gerard Stokes, a rugby league footballer and coach known as ‘Ged’. He has Māori ancestry and moved to England at the age of 12 when his father became head coach of Workington Town rugby league club. Stokes grew up in Cockermouth, attending Cockermouth School and playing cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club. Despite dropping out of school at 16 with just one GCSE in physical education, he excelled in cricket, winning the North Lancashire and Cumbria League Premier Division Title with his club at the age of 15 in 2006. His parents later returned to New Zealand to reside in Christchurch.
In 2013, Stokes became engaged to Clare Ratcliffe, and they tied the knot in East Brent, Somerset, in October 2017. The couple has two children. Stokes proudly displays his family heritage with a tattoo of a family of lions covering his entire back, symbolizing his own family. He also honors his Maori Ngāpuhi heritage with another tattoo. In 2021, Stokes and his mother were awarded damages from The Sun for a front-page story in 2019 about a family tragedy that was deemed not to be in the public interest.
In 2013, Stokes became engaged to Clare Ratcliffe, and the couple exchanged vows in October 2017 in East Brent, Somerset. They are proud parents of two children. Stokes showcases his family pride with a tattoo of a lion family, symbolizing his own, adorning his entire back. Additionally, he pays homage to his Maori Ngāpuhi heritage through another tattoo. In 2021, Stokes and his mother were awarded damages from The Sun for a front-page story in 2019 about a family tragedy that was deemed not to be in the public interest.
Also read: Ben Stokes Family- Father, Mother, Siblings, Kids
Ben Stokes Domestic Career
Stokes made his List A debut for Durham in 2009 at The Oval, impressively taking the wicket of experienced batsman Mark Ramprakash with only his third delivery in professional cricket. His talent continued to shine as he played in two youth Tests against Bangladesh U19 in 2009, showcasing his skills with both bat and ball. Stokes further proved himself on the international stage during the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, where he scored a century against the India Under-19 team.
His first-class debut for Durham came against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) during the traditional season opener in 2010 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Stokes made an impact with both bat and ball, securing a half-century and taking a wicket. He continued to excel, earning his Championship debut for Durham against Essex at the start of the 2010 County Cricket Season and making his maiden first-class century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 13 May 2010. Despite Durham’s injury woes that season, Stokes remained a consistent performer across all formats, earning a place in the England Performance Programme and traveling to Australia during the 2010–11 Ashes.
Stokes played a pivotal role in Durham’s triumph in the 2013 County Championship and was named Man of the Match in the final of the 2014 Royal London One-Day Cup Final at Lord’s for his contributions with both bat and ball. His talents were recognized internationally when he joined the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League in January 2015.
In February 2017, Stokes was appointed vice-captain of England’s test team under Joe Root’s captaincy. His return to Durham in May 2022 was marked with a record-breaking innings of 161 runs from 88 balls, where he narrowly missed becoming the third cricketer in history to score six sixes in an over of first-class cricket.
Stokes has been a part of the Northern Superchargers squad since the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021, despite limited appearances. He was retained by the Superchargers ahead of the upcoming season, demonstrating his value as a player in the franchise cricket circuit.
Ben Stokes Test Stats FAQs
1- How many Test matches has Ben Stokes played?
Ben Stokes has played 98 Test matches.
2- How many runs has Ben Stokes scored in Test Cricket?
Ben Stokes has scored 6,193 runs with an average of 36.42.
3- How many wickets has Ben Stokes taken in Test Cricket?
Ben Stokes has taken 197 wickets in Test Cricket.
4- How many centuries has Ben Stokes scored in Test Cricket?
Ben Stokes has scored 13 centuries and 31 half centuries.
