Ben Stokes joined an elite list as he completed 6000 runs and 200 Test wickets on July 11th, Thursday. He became only the 3rd player after Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis to achieve this unique feat. The England captain achieved this milestone during Day 2 of the 1st Test match against West Indies at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. England have been dominant throughout the first 2 days of the Test match as West Indies ended Day 2 at 79 for 6 and trail by 171 runs.
Stokes became the first English player and third overall player to have over 6000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket. Sobers has played 93 Test matches and has scored 8032 runs with 235 wickets. South Africa’s star all-rounder Jacques Kallis has played 166 Test matches with 13289 runs and 292 wickets. England’s Ben Stokes achieved the feat in his 103rd Test match with 6320 runs and 200 wickets.
Stokes managed to pick the wicket in his very first over to achieve the milestone as he dismissed Kirk McKenzie for a duck. He also joined another elite list with a double of 10000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket. This list includes Carl Hooper, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jacques Kallis, Shahid Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan. Stokes also removed Mikyle Louis in West Indies’ second innings, moving onto 201 wickets when the batter snicked behind to Jamie Smith and getting through 10 overs in that spell.
The return of Stokes, the bowler
During the West Indies’ first innings as well, Stokes had bowled an eight-over spell and picked up a wicket.
Speaking before the series, the skipper said: “I can finally say that I can play the role that I’ve been known for, for 10 years, which is batting and being that fourth seamer.
“I’ve worked very, very hard to get into this position and I know how much me as that fourth seamer adds to the team. I’m really excited to get going this week.”
After bundling West Indies out for 121 runs in the first innings, England went on to put 371 runs on the board. The visitors continued to struggle as they stood at 79 for 6 in their second innings with plenty of lead to recover from.
