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Leeds, AugUST 26
Ben Stokes may well have given the team dietician nightmares after doing the same to Australia’s bowlers by revealing takeaway chicken and chocolate bars had fuelled his remarkable unbeaten century that saw England to a staggering one-wicket win in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
In one of the greatest innings ever seen in 142 years of Test history, Stokes upped the tempo in a five-and-a-half hour stay of 219 balls, including 11 fours and eight sixes, that saw him finish on 135 not out as England squared the five-match series at 1-1. There was no hint of the fireworks to come, however, when Stokes reached Saturday’s close on two not out off 50 balls. Asked what he did overnight, the 28-year-old left-handed batsman replied: “My wife and kids came down and they got there at around 10 o’clock. My wife walked into me eating pasta in my boxer shorts! Last night, I think had a knock-off Nandos fried chicken and two chocolate bars of Yorkie biscuit and raisin. And a couple of coffees in the morning.”
Reflecting on an innings that he reckoned was “certainly close” to surpassing his World Cup final display, Stokes said: “We knew if we lost this game then the Ashes were gone. When a No. 11 comes out needing 73 to win, I knew what I had to do in terms of the game situation,” the England vice-captain added. “The only time I started to get a little bit nervous or panicking was when we got into single figures.”
Lucky breaks
Shortly before Stokes hit the winning boundary off fast bowler Pat Cummins, England had two lucky breaks. The first came when, with England needing two to win, non-striker Leach escaped being run out after charging down the pitch only because off-spinner Nathan Lyon fumbled a throw to the bowler’s end. “I could not believe it when I looked up,” said Stokes. “Me and Leachy could have had a conversation he was that close to me. Obviously pressure situations in games can affect what a human does. Nine times out of 10 Nathan Lyon would pick that ball up and take the stumps off.” The very next ball saw Lyon rap Stokes on the pad but his plea for lbw was rejected by umpire Joel Wilson.
Given Australia had by then used up all their reviews, they had no way of overturning the West Indian official’s verdict, even though the Decision Review System indicated Stokes would have been out out. Stokes, who insisted DRS was wrong in this case, added: “It shows how crucial it is in using your reviews. When you get to a situation like that, you still need one.” — AFP
Free spectacles
The British optical company Specsavers, which is sponsoring the series, has announced free glasses for life for Jack Leach after the vital role he played in England's win. This was in response to Ben Stokes’ tweet, “Jack Leach........@Specsavers do yourself a favour and give him free glasses for life @jackleach1991.”
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