Ben Stokes: England’s messiah in crisis, one more time
Ben Stokes #BenStokes
If one looks at one’s life, there’s always someone you can count on, 99 out of 100 times, to be a rescuer, a savior in critical circumstances. There’s always that one person you can depend on, BLINDLY, regardless of how bad the situation might be.
India count on Virat Kohli to take them over the line in tense run-chases; Bangladesh look up to Shakib Al Hasan to pull off something spectacular like the run out he executed at the bowler’s end against Zimbabwe in the Super 12 of the T20 World Cup.
For England, it’s Ben Stokes. However, there’s a difference between Stokes and the rest of the world – the difference of occasion, the difference of mental strength, the capacity to deliver under pressure, not once, not twice, but innumerable times.
Ben Stokes 2.0
When he seemingly punched a guy outside a Bristol bar back in 2017, questions were raised about his temperament and ability to conduct himself under pressure. Prior to that, the infamous over against West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2016 where he leaked four sixes raised doubts about his potential.
Not anymore, DEFINITELY NOT! He has been a bone in the flesh for opponents and messiah for the Three Lions just when it matters the most.
In 2016, Stokes was on his haunches after Carlos Braithwaite smashed him down the ground for a six at Eden Gardens. Six years later, when England played another World Cup final, Stokes was jumping and pumping his fists in the air.
“I think he’s obviously never let that 2016 final sort of push him back, and you think of the things he’s gone on to achieve in his career since then is just amazing,” Buttler said after England’s historic win against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In 2019, Stokes also celebrated a World Cup win, although in the 50-over format. That time, he had to wait for a Super Over after he couldn’t quite take England home in the stipulated 50 overs.
Come 2022, Stokes made sure that he scored the winning runs for his team. After he hit Mohammad Wasim Jr. through mid-wicket for a single, England won the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Stokes rise again
However, the victory wasn’t straightforward by any means. Although England were chasing a below-par score of 138, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf made inroads into their batting in the powerplay.
The pitch at the MCG isn’t a batter’s paradise; it is for the bowlers, especially the pacers. Rauf, Shaheen and Naseem Shah were breathing fire and 138, at one stage, did actually seem like 158.
Barring the match against Sri Lanka where he scored 42, Stokes was struggling for runs after returning to T20 cricket on the tour of Australia. He showed immense respect to the bowlers and didn’t mind curbing his natural instincts.
Although the required rate went above eight, Stokes knew that it was only a matter of two big shots and it indeed was. With 38 runs needed off 26 balls, the southpaw smacked Iftikhar Ahmed through covers for a four followed by a six down the ground.
With two shots, Stokes took down the required run rate to seven, after which Moeen Ali rubbed salt into Pakistan’s wounds with two fours off Wasim Jr.
From there on, it was only a matter of time. Stokes didn’t get the Player of the Match award, but he was yet again England’s man after the 2019 World Cup and Headingley Test, where he single-handedly helped his team to victory.
At 31, Stokes isn’t quite a spring chicken anymore, but there’s something mystic about him, about the way he carries himself under pressure – he seems to be an owner of some supernatural psychic power that helps him stand tall most times on big occasions.
Maybe not for himself, but Stokes is destined to take England through to more glory in the years ahead.
T20 World Cup 2022 isn’t the end, just yet!
Also Read | Ben Stokes is a champion under pressure, would expect him to win most battles: Stephen Fleming