Why is Ben Stokes opening the batting in the 4th innings of the 3rd ENG vs WI Test?

Ben Stokes opened the innings alongside Ben Duckett in the fourth innings of the third Test match between England and West Indies, played at Edgbaston on Sunday (July 28). The England skipper walked out with his namesake for the chase as the host's designated opener Zak Crawley was absent.

Crawley took a blow to his hands earlier in the day and had to be taken off the field for further examination and scans.

Stokes is familiar with the role of an opener as he had opened the innings on a previous instance as well. Back in 2020, Stokes, along with Jos Buttler, opened in the third innings of the second Test against the same opposition. West Indies were bowled out for 287 in the second innings and with a healthy lead of 182 runs, England decided to pile on the misery for the visitors.

Stokes walked out to bat and battered the West Indies bowlers as he registered a blistering 78 off 59 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and three maximums. The all-rounder was adjudged the Player of the Match as he put on a show with the ball and helped England achieve parity in the three-match Test series. England later went on to clinch the trophy, with the series score reading 2-1 in favor of the hosts.

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England chase down a paltry total of 82 to seal the series 3-0

England made light work chasing 82 runs (File image via Getty)

England were set a total of 82 runs to chase and they did so without breaking a sweat. West Indies will be disappointed with their batting in the third innings as they lost their last five wickets for 19 runs. Mark Wood was England's stand-out performer with the ball in hand, returning with figures of 5/40 to his name.

West Indies looked clueless with the ball as Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett plundered their bowlers and hit them to every corner of the park. Stokes was the aggressor throughout the chase as he smashed 57 runs in 28 balls, consisting of nine boundaries and two sixes. He hit a six off the last ball of the Test to seal the victory for his team.