Ashes 2023

Watch: Ben Stokes reaches century with third six in a row off Cam Green

by Wisden Staff July 2, 2023 - 1:19pm 3 minute read

Watch: Ben Stokes brought up an incredible century on day five of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, hitting three consecutive sixes in a lone effort to chase down a huge target.

Stokes was England’s last recognised batter after they lost two wickets in the morning session at Lord’s. When Jonny Bairstow was controversially given out, Stuart Broad came to the crease with England six down and still needing 173 to win. At that point, Stokes had scored 63 off 126 balls.

In an acceleration that resembled his Headingley 2019 epic, Stokes teed off, targeting Cam Green. He took three fours off his next over to move to 77, taking a single off the last ball to make sure Broad was not on strike for the next over. Pat Cummins was safely negotiated before Stokes again manoeuvred himself back on strike for Green’s next over.

Stokes thrashed a four off the first ball before reaching the end of his pre-lunch crescendo. He went down the ground first up, slaying the ball over deep mid-wicket’s head and well into the stands.

The next one was more dangerous. Stokes swung the ball away high down to fine-leg where Mitchell Starc was waiting. However, as Starc drew closer to the boundary rope and reached behind it to take the catch, he stumbled and could not quite hold onto it, and another six was added to England’s total.

Now on 94, Stokes went again. He heaved away behind square on the leg side once more but into the gap this time. The ball went flat between the two fielders on the boundary to give Stokes his third six in as many balls and take him to a 13th Test century.

There was little in the way of celebration from the man himself, however, in recognition of the monumental task he still has on his hands to force an England win.