Ben Stokes: England's All-Rounder, 149 at Headingley 2019, 2022 Test Captain — Bazball Revolution
Benjamin Andrew Stokes is an English all-rounder born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has scored over 6,000 Test runs and taken 190+ Test wickets in a career that spans from 2013 to the present. He is best known for two innings: his unbeaten 135 that won the 2019 World Cup Super Over for England against New Zealand at Lord's, and his 135 not out at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes that remains one of the most extraordinary individual innings in Test history — England needing 73 more runs with their last wicket. Stokes became England's Test captain in April 2022. Alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, he implemented a fast-paced, attacking style — 'Bazball' — that transformed England's Test results. He was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for 2023.
Benjamin Andrew Stokes was born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand (his father Ged Stokes was a rugby league coach working there). He grew up in England and made his Test debut against Australia in December 2013 in Brisbane. Stokes is a right-hand bat and right-arm fast-medium bowler who can bowl at 135-140 km/h. He became established as a genuine first-class all-rounder — capable of batting in the top six and taking key wickets. His batting combined a sound technique with the ability to accelerate at will, hitting sixes with considerable power.
Headingley 2019 — The Greatest Ashes Chase
In the Third Ashes Test at Headingley, Leeds in August 2019, England were set 359 to win. At 286 for 9 — needing 73 more with only number 11 Jack Leach at the other end — the match and series appeared lost. Stokes then produced one of the most remarkable innings in Test history. He scored the vast majority of the runs in a partnership of 76 — Jack Leach contributed 1 not out. Stokes finished on 135 not out off 219 balls, hitting the winning boundary to complete England's one-wicket win. It remains one of the most celebrated innings in Ashes history. Leach's contribution — 1 not out from 17 balls, including 17 consecutive dot balls to face — became a running joke and then a cause of celebration for England fans.
The 2019 World Cup Final and the ICC Cricket World Cup Win
In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final at Lord's on 14 July 2019, England tied with New Zealand on 241 in regulation play, then tied again in the Super Over (15-15), and England were declared winners under the boundary countback rule — having hit more fours and sixes. Stokes scored an unbeaten 84 in regulation play and 8 off 3 balls in the Super Over. He was also involved in a controversial moment when the ball deflected off his bat to the boundary as he dived: an overthrow four that gave England 6 runs off the final delivery of the innings, significantly affecting the tied result. England's first World Cup title came through this extraordinary match.
Test Captain and the Bazball Revolution
In April 2022, Ben Stokes was appointed England's Test captain, with Brendon McCullum as head coach. Together they implemented an aggressive, declaration-minded, attacking approach to Test cricket that was nicknamed 'Bazball' by the media. Under Stokes, England showed a willingness to set or chase enormous fourth-innings totals and play with high strike rates from all positions. England won 11 of their first 14 Tests under Stokes-McCullum, including a famous series win in Pakistan (England's first there in 22 years) and the draw of the 2023 Ashes. Stokes was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What made Ben Stokes' innings at Headingley in 2019 so extraordinary?
In the Third Ashes Test at Headingley in August 2019, England needed 359 to win. At 286 for 9 — with 73 still needed and only number 11 Jack Leach remaining — Stokes produced an unbeaten 135, with Leach contributing 1 not out across 17 balls. England won by 1 wicket. The innings combined extreme calm under pressure, aggressive running between the wickets, and decisive hitting at the end. It is widely considered one of the greatest innings in Ashes history.
What is 'Bazball' and what has it achieved under Ben Stokes?
'Bazball' is the nickname for England's attacking Test cricket style under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum ('Baz'), adopted from April 2022. The approach prioritises aggressive batting from all positions, willingness to set or chase large totals, and positive declarations. England won 11 of their first 14 Tests under this approach, won a series in Pakistan for the first time in 22 years, and drew the 2023 Ashes in England. Stokes was ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023.