Analysis
Ben Stokes’ Top 5 Test Wins as Captain in Asian Conditions
England team has always been a great Test-playing nation. They have won many iconic matches and proved to be one of the best Test-playing nations. Moreover, after Ben Stokes joined the team as a captain, a lot of changes have come in the manner of playing. In addition to him, Brendon McCullum’s inclusion as head coach brought in the Bazball approach to the team as well. The duo has won many matches together and has helped England beat India in the first Test match in India. Stokes as a batter is a brilliant player and he has a record of the highest sixes (109) in Test matches.
Ever since the duo have taken up their job roles, England clean-swept New Zealand at home and defeated India in the rescheduled fifth Test in Edgbaston. Apart from this, they also registered a 2-1 series win over South Africa and won an away series win over Pakistan, 3-0. Currently, they are the most liked duo in the Cricket world. There are a few iconic matches where Stokes has done brilliant captaincy and the matches have turned in England’s favour, especially in Asia.
Let’s look at the top 5 Test wins as captain in Asian conditions.
5. India vs England, 1st Test, Hyderabad, 2024
India vs England, 1st test, Hyderabad
The match between India vs England in Hyderabad is one of the recent examples of Stokes‘ perfect captaincy. This was Stokes’ arguably the greatest win as captain, as he led England to a stunning 28-run victory over India in their backyard. As England went on to score a 190-run first-innings deficit, thanks to a brilliant 196 by Ollie Pope and a sensational seven-wicket haul by debutant Tom Hartley, they made one of the greatest comebacks in the game. Even Stokes called this win his “greatest triumph” as captain.
4. England vs Pakistan, 3rd Test, Karachi, 2023
England vs Pakistan, 3rd Test, 2023
Ben Stokes inspired England to a thrilling three-wicket win in the final Test of the series, chasing down 277 in the fourth innings in the 3rd Test match against Pakistan. Moreover, Stokes scored a magnificent 135 not out which is his second Test hundred in Asia. He also shared a match-winning 76-run stand with Chris Woakes for the eighth wicket. England won the series 2-1, their first series win in Pakistan since 2000.
3. England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Galle, 2022
England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Galle, 2022
England’s captain Ben Stokes led England to a historic 2-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka. This was their first ever in the island nation. In the second Test, Stokes scored a quick-fire 85 in the first innings and took three crucial wickets in the second innings, as England won by six wickets. He played a perfect captain’s innings and led his team to victory. Later, Stokes was named the player of the series for his all-round performance.
2. England vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Dhaka, 2022
England vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Dhaka, 2022
In 2022, Ben Stokes played like a star batter in the first Test against Bangladesh, scoring a century and taking six wickets in the match. This was one of those days where he played like a perfect all-rounder. He scored 105 in the first innings, his first Test hundred in Asia, and then took four wickets in the second innings, including the last one to seal a 22-run win for England. He was then named the player of the match for his heroics.
1. England vs India, 4th Test, Ahmedabad, 2022
England vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Dhaka, 2022
When it comes to any series against India, Stokes gives his one hundred per cent. In a remarkable comeback in the fourth and final Test of the series, Stokes led the England team to victory after losing the first three Tests. He scored 66 and 70 in the two innings, and took four wickets in the match, as England won by an innings and 25 runs. Stokes became the first England captain to win a Test in India after 2012.