Ben Stokes Shines with 5 Wickets Against India
With 16 wickets at an average of 24.75, Stokes sits atop the series' wicket-taking charts, solidifying his position as England's leading bowler this summer. His impressive performance has earned him praise from teammates and critics alike, with Zak Crawley hailing him as a "proper wicket-taker" who has regained his pace and form.
Ben Stokes took five wickets in India's first innings at Old Trafford, his first such feat since September 2017, marking a significant milestone in his Test bowling career. This achievement comes after a long wait of eight years and despite setbacks including a hamstring injury in December that raised doubts about his Test bowling career.
Stokes has undergone extensive rehabilitation, including surgery on his knee and hamstring, and has worked tirelessly to regain his form. His hard work has paid off, as he has bowled at an average speed of 84.2mph, his best since 2019, and has taken 16 wickets against India this summer, the most on either side. Stokes' performance has been described as "phenomenal" by teammate Zak Crawley, who notes that Stokes has regained his pace and ability to generate away movement from the right-hander.
Stokes has also been praised for his endurance, bowling marathon spells of 9.2 overs and 10 overs in recent matches. Despite not making a fifty in any of his six innings, Stokes has a fair claim to being England's player of the series. His bowling has been compared to his performance in 2020 against South Africa, where he took three match-winning wickets. England closed the 2nd day on 225-2, trailing India's first-innings total by 133 runs.
Stokes' resurgence has been a significant factor in England's performance this summer, and his ability to take wickets and bowl long spells has made him a vital asset to the team. As the series continues, Stokes will look to build on his impressive form and help England secure a strong finish.