Ben Stokes has become the elite of elite all-rounders in Test cricket history. With a 4-fer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, the England captain picked up his 250th wicket in the format. Stokes, who made his debut in 2013, is just the 9th bowler in England’s 149-year history to have 250 scalps to his name.
Ben Stokes – one of England’s greatest Test cricketers
That’s a pretty incredible list to be a part of. However, that’s not even the most incredible bit. Stokes has now become a part of a special club. He’s just one of two all-rounders to have 7,000 runs and 250 wickets in Test cricket. The other one is South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, who’s in the conversation of being the greatest all-rounder to play Test cricket.
There are only four all-rounders to have even 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in Test cricket – Stokes, Kallis, Kapil Dev, and Ian Botham – have done so. That’s quite a list. To even be part of the conversation with such legends. And here’s Stokes, who’s right beside them.
- Jacques Kallis – 13289 runs, 292 wickets
- Ben Stokes – 7228 runs, 250 wickets
- Kapil Dev – 5248 runs, 434 wickets
- Ian Botham – 5200 runs, 383 wickets
Magic at Trent Bridge
Stokes has never been the best batter or bowler in his team. The other three could make that claim at various points in their career. However, the 35-year-old possesses the same ability. He’s got one of the greatest knocks in a chase, Headingley in 2019, and can bowl 10 overs in a trot if the team needs it.
He’ll bounce you out. Bowl big outswingers. Just keep running in again and again. His shoulder or leg might be hurting, but Stokes will keep the same intensity and pull the rabbit out of the hat eventually. It’s what separates him from other all-rounders of his generation like Ravindra Jadeja.
That same Stokes turned up on the second day of the England vs New Zealand 3rd Test. After the Kiwis started the proceedings on 361/4, the all-rounder bowled an 8-over spell. He got a well-set Daryl Mitchell, nightwatchmen Will O’Rourke, and Mitchell Santner out. This included a dropped catch of O’Rourke in his first over.
One can’t forget that New Zealand was 317/0, and it was Stokes who picked Tom Latham’s wicket. He started the collapse, which saw the visitors lose 10 wickets for just 121 runs. That’s just what he does. On a lifeless surface in Nottingham, he was England’s best bowler by far.
Most wickets for England in Test cricket
| Bowler | Span | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| James Anderson | 2003-2024 | 188 | 350 | 704 | 7/42 | 26.45 | 2.79 | 56.87 | 32 | 32 | 3 |
| Stuart Broad | 2007-2023 | 167 | 309 | 604 | 8/15 | 27.68 | 2.97 | 55.79 | 28 | 20 | 3 |
| Ian Botham | 1977-1992 | 102 | 168 | 383 | 8/34 | 28.40 | 2.99 | 56.95 | 17 | 27 | 4 |
| Bob Willis | 1971-1984 | 90 | 165 | 325 | 8/43 | 25.20 | 2.83 | 53.40 | 12 | 16 | 0 |
| Fred Trueman | 1952-1965 | 67 | 127 | 307 | 8/31 | 21.57 | 2.61 | 49.43 | 19 | 17 | 3 |
| Derek Underwood | 1966-1982 | 86 | 151 | 297 | 8/51 | 25.83 | 2.10 | 73.60 | 13 | 17 | 6 |
| Graeme Swann | 2008-2013 | 60 | 109 | 255 | 6/65 | 29.96 | 2.98 | 60.19 | 14 | 17 | 3 |
| Brian Statham | 1951-1965 | 70 | 129 | 252 | 7/39 | 24.84 | 2.33 | 63.71 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
| Ben Stokes | 2013-2026 | 122* | 181 | 250 | 6/22 | 31.03 | 3.34 | 55.74 | 10 | 6 | 0 |
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