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Chris Stocks asks whether Ben Stokes’ fabulous knock against Australia is a sign of things to come this winter…
Ben Stokes loves a good scrap so it was no surprise when he dominated the first Anglo-Australian skirmish of this Ashes year.
Stokes is no doubt the best player in the world right now and the Durham all-rounder has taken his performances, with the bat at least, to another level following his time in the Indian Premier League. The unbeaten 102 he scored in front of a boisterous Edgbaston crowd – his third ODI century – proved the difference between the two teams as England recovered from 35-3 early in their pursuit of 278 to secure a 40-run Duckworth-Lewis victory.
It was a result that sent Australia crashing out of the tournament and given it was Stokes who ultimately took them down it would be naïve to think his performance will have no bearing on the Ashes later this year.
Stokes, of course, made his Test debut on the last Ashes tour of Australia in 2013-14 and his displays really were the only highlight for an England side who were humiliatingly brushed aside 5-0.
The 26-year-old will have a score to settle when he returns Down Under in the winter and Steven Smith, Australia’s captain, knows just how good a player Stokes is having captained him during their time together in the IPL at Rising Pune Supergiant.
“He’s a fantastic player, and he’s getting better and better as well, I think,” said Smith. “He contributes in every aspect of the game, whether it’s bowling, out in the field, taking great catches, or with the bat now.
“He played a fantastic innings today, really took the game on, and was hard to stop.
“I always thought he was a good player. He’s an incredibly strong lad and hits the ball very hard. I think he’s probably developed some smarts [in the IPL] and, you know, timing of his innings and things like that.
“I’m sure the more he plays, the better he’ll get at that as well. He’s certainly a quality player, and he’s in exceptional form.”
Stokes put on 159 in 158 balls with Eoin Morgan to revive England’s run chase after the early losses of Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Joe Root.
“Ben’s potential is through the roof,” said Morgan. “His batting was exceptional. He’s very calm at the crease, very relaxed. He was outstanding.”
And England’s captain is in no doubt the all-rounder, bought by Pune for an overseas-record fee of £1.7million, would get into any team in the world right now.
“I think the IPL auction proved that,” said Morgan. “He’s always looking to influence the game – bat, ball, or even in the field. Even in the field today at mid-on, he saved a lot of runs. He always wants to be in the game.
“A lot of guys with potential like that, when things aren’t going their way, go back into a corner, but that’s not Ben.”
Morgan stated before this match that the result would have no bearing on the Ashes. But the immense influence Stokes can have on a team transcends formats or conditions. This innings, which started off at a rate of knots as he reached his half-century in 39 deliveries, was truly special.
Stokes produced some of the most brutal clean-hitting seen by an England player at a major tournament as he bludgeoned 13 fours and two sixes during his 109-ball masterclass.
But was it his best innings?
“Yeah I think so,” said Stokes. “I don’t think my record is too flash in terms of chasing for England in one-day international cricket.
“It’s nice on a personal level to be there at the end. I think to come here and beat a strong Australian side in the way we have done just shows where we are at the moment as an England team.”
As if to underline the importance of the opposition and perhaps its impact on the Ashes, Stokes added: “The best thing about today was beating Australia in the way we have.”
The bad news for Smith and the Australians, though, is the fact Stokes believes he is nowhere near the limits of his potential just yet.
“I am always trying to get better as a player, no matter how things are going, always trying to expand my game and look into how I can hit more areas or bowl different balls or whatever it is,” he said.
“I’m always looking to learn and am never happy with how I am going.
“I think once you get comfortable with what you are offering it is dangerous territory to be in.”
Stokes then is determined to get even better over the coming weeks and months. It’s a prospect that will be music to the ears of every Englishman.
But for Australia, it’s an ominous sign indeed…
