England’s interim captain Ben Stokes has become the second-fastest to reach the double of 4000 Test runs and 150 wickets, achieving both the feats in 64 Test matches. Former West Indies legend Sir Gary Sobers is the fastest to the landmark as he got to the aforementioned double in 63 Test matches. Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Daniel Vettori, and Jacques Kallis are the other four players to achieve the same milestone.
Stokes who had earlier completed 4000 runs, reached 150 Test wickets when he dismissed West Indies fast bowler Alazarri Joseph, who scored a little cameo of 18 runs. Stokes was at his best despite having being hurt his leg, as he picked four wickets on the day.
Ben Stokes has been in sublime form
Stokes had the best bowling as he snared 4-49 to keep his team in the contest. The right-arm pacer provided the much-needed breakthrough when he pinned Kraigg Brathwaite in front of the wickets when he was on 65 runs.
Subsequently, when the West Indies were threatening to extend their lead, Stokes picked up three quick wickets. The England captain got his revenge against his opponent’s counterpart, Jason Holder, when he banged the ball short and Jofra Archer took a good catch at deep fine leg.
A short and wide delivery then took a feather of Shane Dowrich’s bat to Jos Buttler. Alazarri Joseph was getting some quick runs but his knock was put a kibosh by Stokes when he found the gap between bat and pad to hit the top of stumps.
Mark Wood finally got a wicket when he went through the defenses of Shannon Gabriel. West Indies racked 318 runs and thus took a healthy lead of 114 runs to put themselves in front.
The second fastest player EVER to 4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Test runs and 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Test wickets! ?
Take a bow, @benstokes38!
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/O4xnUxilMg#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/g3hZvlNF2U
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2020
England would need to fight back with the bat to keep themselves in the game as they still trail by 99 runs. The English openers were able to negate 10 overs before the close of play.
