Ben Stokes pulls off England’s highest successful chase in Tests

Ashes, Ashes 2019, Australia Cricket Team, Australia vs England, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Cricket News, England Cricket Team, ICC World Test Championship, ICC World Test Championship 2019-21, Jofra Archer, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Test Cricket August 25, 2019February 25, 20204 years ago

Ashes 2019: Ben Stokes played the knock of his life as England pull off their record chase in Tests.

ASHES 2019 THIRD TEST SCORECARD

Australia I^st Inns: 179-10 in 52.1 overs

Marnus Labuschagne: 74(129) | Jofra Archer:6-45

England I^st Inns: 67-10 in 27.5 overs

Joe Denly: 12(49) | Josh Hazlewood:5-30

Australia II^nd Inns: 246-10 in 75.2 overs

Marnus Labuschagne: 80(187) | Ben Stokes:3-56

England II^nd Inns: 362-9 in 125.4 overs

Ben Stokes: 135*(219) | Josh Hazlewood:4-85

Result: England won by 1 wicket | Player of the match: Ben Stokes

MATCH SUMMARY:

Ashes 2019: Ben Stokes played the knock of his life as his magical century pulls off England’s highest successful chase in Tests.

How often would you see a team after scoring just 67 in their first innings going on to win the Test match, and that too recording their highest successful chase in Tests?. Such was the exhibition of pure art and finesse as we witnessed one of the best Test match of the 21^st century.

Chasing 359 after conceding a 112 runs lead to Australia in the first innings, England had a horrible start as both their openers fell early. But, Joe Denly and Joe Root bought England back in the game as they socred valiant half-centuries.

However, as the game of Snake & Ladders goes, Australia rocked back in the game with two successive dismissals leaving England at 159-4.

Ben Stokes, the man then in the middle had a mountainous task in front of him as England needed another 200 runs to get with 6 wickets in hand. However, after a steady 86 runs partnership with Jonny Bairstow, England were left reeling at 286-9 as victory was just inches away for Australia.

Stokes batting on 61*(174) counter-attacked after that as he scored 74 runs from just 45 deliveries as he pulled off a miraculous chase.

In the end, Ben Stokes remained not out on 135 as England recorded their highest successful chase in Tests by defeating Australia by 1 wicket.

EARLIER INNINGS:

Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne, the replacement for Steve Smith scored twin fifties to help Australia score 179 and 246 in their first and second innings respectively. For England, Jofra Archer recorded his first 5-fer in Tests in the first innings, while second innings saw Ben Stokes with a wonderful spell of 3-56.

Meanwhile, for England, the first innings was a nightmare as they were bundled out for just 67. Josh Hazlewood’s swinging deliveries were too much for them as he bowled a superb spell of 5-30. The second innings again saw Hazlewood taking 4 wickets, but the determined Ben Stokes was too hot to handle.

We just hope Test cricket gets the decided attention after his wonderful Test match. What do you think of the chase? Let’s know in the comments below.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: A fascinating comparison of the modern era ODI greats