A cursory glance at the scorecard and you might wonder why Ben Stokes was named Player of the Match for the third Test at Lord’s.
Scores of 33 and 44. Two wickets in India’s first innings, three in their second. No hundreds like Joe Root and KL Rahul. No twin fifties like fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. No five-for like Jasprit Bumrah
But anyone who watched will tell you that Stokes was perhaps the only option to be standing there at the presentation with the medal around his neck, talking to Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton, speaking of the “dark places” this needle-heavy match had taken him to.
Like so many times in the past, when England needed someone, that someone was Stokes.
When England needed someone to stitch a partnership with Root on day one after two quick wickets had left the hosts tottering on 172-4, that someone was Stokes.
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When England needed someone to end a hundred-plus stand between Rahul and Rishabh Pant in India’s first innings, that someone was Stokes – a direct hit from cover running out the latter.
When England needed someone to end a fifty-plus stand between Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, that someone was Stokes – Reddy caught behind off a vicious ball that leapt up off the surface during a tireless seven-over spell from the home captain.
When England needed someone to stitch a partnership with Root on day four after Harry Brook’s much-criticised dismissal attempting to sweep India fast bowler Akash Deep had left the hosts teetering on 87-4, that someone was Stokes.
When England needed someone to remove the silky Rahul – the batter seen as key if the tourists were to complete a chase of 193 on the final day – that someone was Stokes, during a 9.2 over spell. Nip-backer into the pad, successful review, lbw, India 81-6.
And when England needed someone to snap a frustrating ninth-wicket stand between Jadeja and Bumrah, that someone was Stokes, during a 10-over spell this time. Bouncing out Bumrah as the tailender’s firm resistance was finally broken.