England’s talismanic allrounder Ben Stokes has etched his name into Test history, becoming only the second player ever to achieve the rare double of 7,000-plus runs and 250 wickets in red-ball cricket. In doing so, the England captain joins South African legend Jacques Kallis in one of cricket’s most exclusive clubs.
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Kallis, widely regarded as the greatest allrounder of all time, amassed 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37 in 166 Tests, registering 45 centuries and 58 fifties. With the ball, he claimed 292 wickets at 32.65, including five five-wicket hauls, before signing off against India in Durban in December 2013.
Stokes’ own red-ball career has been remarkable. Averaging nearly 35 with the bat and 31.25 with the ball, the 35-year-old reached the milestone in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. His achievement comes after being stood down in the second Test of the series following a breach of team protocols, a setback he has now emphatically answered on the field.
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Making his comeback at Trent Bridge, Stokes played a pivotal role in halting New Zealand’s charge after their openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway piled on a mammoth 317-run stand. With the tourists cruising, Stokes turned the tide with an inspired spell of 4/70 in 21 overs.
He dismissed Latham for a brilliant 151 before striking again to remove Will O’Rourke, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner. Thanks to Stokes’ relentless effort, England managed to restrict New Zealand to 438, despite their blistering start.
This performance not only underlines Stokes’ resilience but also reinforces his stature as a leader who thrives under pressure, a captain who can drag his side back into the contest when the odds are stacked against them.
