Ben Stokes top 5 moments in international cricket : A whirlwind career that winded down dramatically.

Ben stokes. The name was enough to psychologically haunt the opposition. For 15 years, Ben Stokes always put his team ahead of himself on the field. There might have been indiscretions and misdemeanours off it, but on it, he remained the talismanic warrior who offered every bit of himself, mind and body, for his country's sake. Right up to and including the very end.

Out of all those incredible moments, 5 are hard to pick. And trust me, they are incredibly hard to pick. Such has been the career of the man that has graced this game, i still have listed down 5 moments which Stokes didn't just play the game, he was the game. 

5 : 258 of the most enthralling runs ( England vs South Africa, 2nd test 2016)

In a series that was highlighted with the Broad’s and Anderson's running through the Proteas line up, Stokes’ 258 was one of the under rated highlights. Filled with 30 fours and 11 sixes, his innings was one to just sit up and marvel at. Though the game witnessed more than 1500 runs across three innings and a double century by Hashim Amla as well, Ben Stokes was instrumental as a jam packed Newlands witnessed history.

4 : Redemption at the G (ICC world T20, 2022 final)

Two editions earlier, Stokes was the villain. Two editions later, Stokes was the hero. The T20 format has its shares of villain to hero, so how could Stokes be left behind. After Brathwaite smashed him for four consecutive sixes, it was the 2022 edition in Australia where he became the backbone of England's title win.

Sam curran, Chris Jordan, Jos Butler, Alex Hales all were instrumental in that title win, but it was Stokes. Ben Stokes in another final who made sure that England got over the line. In a tense chase against Pakistan, he safely negotiated the threat that was Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah and then took the onus on himself as he smashed the winning runs which screamt redemption on top of its voice.

3 : A forgotten classic at Perth ( 3rd Test, Ashes 2013)

In an Ashes series that was largely overshadowed by  Mitchell Johnson, Stokes still managed to be the silver lining in that wretched series. After England were walloped in the first two tests, England did lose the third test also, but Stokes decided to delay the inevitable.

A stroke filled 120 which had 18 boundaries and a six, Australia were witness to the start of the Ben Stokes era as his counter punch to Lyon and Johnson was something to marvel at. Although England never won a series after that, Stokes’ terrific knock was indeed a needle in a haystack. 

2 : An innings of a lifetime at Lords helps England break the trophy drought. (ICC world cup final, 2019)

A target of 242 in a world cup final seemed like a cakewalk, but New Zealand reduced England to 86/4. Stokes, along with Butler stitched an important partnership and even though the lower order kept perishing, Stoked held one end and helped England tie the regular game.

Post that, he played another crucial part in the super over as England scored 15 runs… which was eventually enough as the hosts won the world cup on an unthinkable margin of more boundary count. Controversies aside…. It was Ben Stokes who was the Lord of Lords as yet again he proved his weight of worth in gold.

1 : Australia’s headache at Headingley.  ( Third test, Ashes 2019)

The pinnacle of his sporting career. It came against the nemesis. It came at a time when England looked down and out. Chasing a massive 360 to win in the third Ashes test, England were reduced to 286/9 before Stokes took charge. He along with Jack Leach went on to stitch one of the most important partnerships in Ashes history. 

Stokes smashing Lyon and Hazelwood again was a sight to behold yet again. The western terrace was peppered with some majestic sixes. England did draw the series, but could not defend the ashes, but Ben Stokes, the magnetic Ben Stokes’ Botham-esque effort was more than enough to keep the kangaroos at bay.