England captain Ben Stokes just third player, after Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis, to take 200 wickets and score 6,000 runs in Test cricket; Stokes now back as a fully-fledged all-rounder after successful knee surgery - stream England's Test summer with NOW
Thursday 11 July 2024 19:41, UK
England captain Ben Stokes has joined legends of the game Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers in an exclusive cricketing club.
Stokes pinned West Indies batter Kirk McKenzie lbw on day two at Lord's to become only the third player to take 200 wickets and score 6,000 runs in Test cricket.
West Indies great Sobers racked up 8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, while South African star Kallis scored 13,289 runs and claimed 292 wickets between 1995 and 2013.
Stokes - who made his England debut against Australia in December 2013 and played his 100th game in the format in India over the winter - is now back as a fully-fledged all-rounder after successful knee surgery.
His return to that role gives England greater balance to their side and is a huge boost as they build for the next away Ashes series in Australia in 2025-26.
Stokes bowled an eight-over spell against West Indies on day one at Lord's, dismissing opener Mikyle Louis courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch from Harry Brook.
He also removed 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.
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."
Ex-England cricket captain Andrew Strauss said Stokes bowling without being in pain was a positive sign for the group, but his batting form has dipped in recent times.
"Seeing Ben Stokes walking around without a limp is a good start and he's bowling around with energy and verve," said Strauss.
"When the ball is swinging, Ben Stokes is as effective as any of the England bowlers and we've seen that over the course of this match so far.
"He hasn't been in his best form with the bat in recent times and to have this extra string to his bow is useful and of course, it balances up the team at the same time."
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