Published By: Admin

Into the Book of Stokes' Records Following His Fastest Fifty vs. West Indies

This carnage is the fourth-fastest fifty in Test cricket history

England has successfully whitewashed the West Indies, having won the third game in merely three days. While Wood’s five wicket haul rattled the Indies line-up, the home team's captain, Ben Stokes’ fastest Test fifty by an Englishman in only 24 balls grabbed headlines. This Bazball carnage by Stokes also turned out to be the fourth fastest fifty in Test cricket history. Stokes came in to bat at number six after West Indies was restricted at 81/9 in 20 overs. He played a captain's knock to achieve a comfortable win in seven overs and remained not out at 57, which included nine boundaries and two sixes. 

Given the English cappie has earned himself a new record, it is an apt moment to recall some of his priors that are worth a read. 

4,000 runs and 100 wickets for England 

Stokes reached a significant milestone in January 2020 when he passed 4,000 Test runs with a century against South Africa. He became the second player for England to score over 4,000 Test runs and scalp 100 Test wickets after Ian Botham. The result propelled him into an elite club, making him only the seventh player worldwide to achieve the feat alongside Kapil Dev, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori, Garfield Sobers, and Carl Hooper.

Sixth wicket partnership 

Stokes and Jonny Bairstow hold the record for the highest Test partnership for the sixth wicket with a phenomenal 399 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016. During this stoic knock, Stokes also furnished a few other records: the highest number of runs in a Test inning at the sixth position, 258 runs off 198 balls, and the fastest 250 in Test history, reaching the milestone in just 163 balls. Bairstow added a substantial amount to the record-breaking performance of Stokes, with 150 runs from the bat in 191 balls. Though history was scripted through their partnership, the match ended in a draw, and the England side pocketed the series 2-1 by winning the third Test in Johannesburg. 

Most no. of sixes in Test cricket 

English all-rounder Stokes leads the record charts with 131 Test sixes in just 190 innings. He surpassed his current coach, Brendon McCullum, who had smashed 107 sixes. One of the most prolific all-rounders the game has seen, Stokes has accumulated 6,508 runs from 105 Test matches, including 13 centuries and 34 half-centuries. His consistent performances time and again proves why he is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. 

Most no. of catches in an innings 

In  January 2020, the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town saw an outstanding performance against South Africa from Stokes. He recorded six catches in that test, with the first five coming in South Africa's first innings. It is a record for the most catches by any English player in a Test innings. Moreover, he contributed immensely to his team's cause, with the bat, scoring 119 runs and grabbing the last three wickets. His excellent display at both ends ensured that not only England walked away with a victory, but he also received the award for Man of the Match.