Wisden’s men’s Test innings of 2023, No.2: Ben Stokes – 155

England v Australia, second Test – Lord’s

There have been few innings as imperious yet so quickly eclipsed by other events as Ben Stokes on the final day of a tumultuous Ashes Test match at Lord’s. By now, we’re all familiar with the miracles he can produce. But the memories of them are accompanied by after images of trophies being lifted, teammates embraced, or three fingers pointed up at the sky in celebration. Not of booing crowds, breaking up fights between wicketkeepers, and weeks of swirling controversy accompanied by a 2-0 series deficit.

But, while the context in which it was played makes it easy to lose in the noise, it’s precisely why that innings should be ranked among the other Stokes greats.

Two balls later, and an authoritative six over long-on was Stokes’ answer. As the trauma began to resurface, Australia were transported back to 2019 with not again written on every face. A catch dropped at deep backward square, a glove down the leg side too wide for Carey to grab punctuated the sixes. It took their golden captain to break the Stokes’ grip.

A long discussion between Pat Cummins, his bowlers and the senior ranks in the field during the drinks break formed a plan. In the first over afterwards, Cummins took the pace off and dragged the length back, starving Stokes of any boundaries for the next four overs. The back-to-back sixes he forced off Mitchell Starc were the last of his innings.

It was a quiet end, a top edge off a fairly innocuous bouncer from Josh Hazlewood, muted after the controversy and fireworks of the day. Almost 180 needed at six wickets down with Stokes on the field felt possible, but 70 at seven wickets down without him was impossible.

Nevertheless, taking out its brilliance in isolation, what that innings meant for the series shows its true force. England were 2-0 down but had run Australia close in both games. The message that Stokes would double down and live by his own words, never believing loss was inevitable, set the tone for England’s dominance in the following three Tests. It also signalled his own return to form. Headingley will be remembered for Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, but Stokes’ 80 in the first innings made the win there possible. It’s innings like the ones only Stokes can play that force the belief in the impossible. And even when it doesn’t quite come off, somehow, it almost feels like it did.