Ranking Ben Stokes’ 5 best international innings

#1 135* v Australia, Headingly, August 2019

Stokes' hundred against Australia was perhaps the best Test innings ever by an Englishman

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but on this occasion, it did, and twice in the space of just six weeks. At tea on day two of the third Test against Australia, it seemed inevitable that the Ashes were returning Down Under. England had been bowled out for just 67 in their first innings, and trailed Australia by 112 runs, already 1-0 down in the series. By the time the Aussies were all out in the second innings they were 358 ahead, meaning England would need a record total to keep the Ashes alive.

England made a promising start, with Joe Root, Joe Denly and Jonny Bairstow all making runs, but wickets continued to fall, and a lower order collapse left England needing 73 runs as the final man, Jack Leach, joined Stokes at the crease. With hope all but lost, Stokes went on the counter attack, playing some extraordinary shots as England closed in on their victory target. Despite a couple of nervy moments toward the end, Stokes cut through the off side to take England home, and complete one of the all-time great Test match innings.