Ben Stokes brought down the curtain on an extraordinary Test career with his final match against New Zealand, leaving behind a trailblazing legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. His swashbuckling all-round ability has consistently delivered moments of breathtaking brilliance, often single-handedly turning the tide of a game and sending fans into raptures.
Stokes's statistics scream one thing: he's an elite dual threat who can rack up runs and rattle batsmen with ease. He joins Jacques Kallis in an exclusive club – only two players in Test history have amassed over 7,000 runs and 250 wickets. This phenomenal achievement cements his status as a true all-rounder, one of the game's greats.
During his peak period between 2019 and 2020, Stokes averaged an astonishing 50 with the bat and under 30 with the ball in Tests, securing Player of the Series awards against Australia at home and South Africa away. He was a 'miracle-man', conjuring moments of magic that left opponents stunned and fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite struggling with batting form and chronic knee and hamstring issues, Stokes's bowling has experienced a remarkable resurgence in his final year. A string of impressive five-wicket hauls against India and Australia has catapulted him to 34 Test wickets at an average of just 25. This late burst of bowling prowess is all the more incredible considering he didn't bowl in seven consecutive Tests across 2023 and 2024 – yet still surpassed Bob Willis as England captain with the most Test wickets, a staggering achievement.
From his humble beginnings as a number eight batsman to an accomplished all-rounder, Stokes's journey has been one of relentless improvement. Iconic moments like his maiden century on a treacherous WACA pitch at 22 and his six-fers in the Ashes at Trent Bridge and Sydney showcased his natural talent and unwavering fighting spirit.
And then there are the performances that go beyond the statistics – unforgettable epics like his unbeaten 135 at Headingley in 2019, where he kickstarted a dramatic acceleration with two crucial runs from his first 66 balls. Not to mention his half-century in the 2019 World Cup final or countless other moments of magic that have cemented his place in English cricketing folklore.