Ben stokes' match winning 135* in the third test of the 2019 Ashes series.
There are moments in sport that defy belief. Moments that turn players into legends, moments that will be talked about for generations. Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 135 at Headingley on 25th August 2019 was one of them.
With the Ashes on the line, England were set a near-impossible task—chasing a record 359 runs to win. By the time Stokes took centre stage, wickets were tumbling around him. Hope was fading. At 286 for 9, with 73 runs still needed, the result seemed inevitable. But Stokes had other ideas.
What followed was an innings of sheer brilliance, resilience, and belief. Batting alongside Jack Leach—who would contribute just a single run—Stokes launched a counterattack that left Australia stunned. He smashed 11 fours and 8 sixes, sending the Headingley crowd into a frenzy. Every boundary, every brutal stroke, every moment of defiance brought England closer to the impossible.
And yet, the drama was far from over. With just two runs needed, Nathan Lyon had the chance to win it for Australia. A fumbled run-out opportunity let England off the hook. Moments later, Lyon rapped Stokes on the pad. The Australians roared in appeal, but the umpire turned it down. Replays showed it was out, but Australia had no reviews left. Inches, mere inches, separated glory from heartbreak.
Then, in a moment that will live forever in Ashes history, Stokes cut Pat Cummins away through the off side and roared in triumph. England had won, by just one wicket. The Ashes were still alive.
For me, this is the greatest Ashes innings I’ve ever seen from an Englishman—not that I’ve been watching the Ashes for decades. But even with my limited experience, I could tell that this was something special. The talent on display was on another level, especially that outrageous switch-hit six off Nathan Lyon. To have the skill and nerve to pull that off in a club game would be impressive, let alone in a high-pressure Ashes Test with the series on the line and just one wicket remaining. It was simply unbelievable.
It was an innings that embodied everything great about Test cricket—drama, skill, courage, and an unbreakable will to win. It was an innings that turned Ben Stokes into an Ashes legend.
Some moments in sport are unforgettable. This was one of them.
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