2019 Ashes: Ben Stokes Saves England at Headingley
The 2019 Ashes ended 2-2, but was defined by Ben Stokes's unbeaten 135 at Headingley — one of the greatest Test innings ever played — as England chased 359 to win with the last pair in.
The 2019 Ashes in England ended 2-2 — Australia retained the Ashes urn they had held since the 2017-18 win. But the series is remembered not for the margin or the result, but for a single afternoon at Headingley: Ben Stokes scoring 135 not out with the last man in, hitting the winning single off the final possible delivery.
Series Context
Steve Smith — returning from a 12-month suspension for ball-tampering — was the series' dominant batter. He scored 774 runs in the series at an average of 110.57. Australia, captained by Tim Paine, had their best bowling attack in years: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. England's batting was inconsistent; they struggled against Cummins' relentless line and length.
The Headingley Miracle
England needed 359 to win the third Test at Headingley — a chase that seemed impossible. England reached 286/9, still 73 runs short, with Jack Leach the last man in. Ben Stokes, on 61, then produced something extraordinary. He hit Pat Cummins for 6. He hit Nathan Lyon for 4. He scored 74 runs in the last-wicket partnership — Leach contributing a single run. Stokes reached the winning runs with his fourth six of the innings, off the penultimate ball, to win by 1 wicket.
Stokes vs Lyon — The Final Overs
Nathan Lyon dropped a sharp chance at square leg with England needing 2 — Jack Leach survived. Off the next ball, Leach blocked for a single. Stokes, needing 2 from 2, hit the penultimate ball of the over from Cummins over midwicket for six. England won. Stokes fell to his knees. Leach stood in disbelief with his glasses on. The crowd noise was the loudest heard at an English cricket ground in years. Australia captain Tim Paine later called it one of sport's great days.
Steve Smith's Series Domination
Smith's 774 runs across the series made him the dominant presence. He was hit in the neck by a Jofra Archer short ball at Lord's — a delivery so fast that Smith was concussed and replaced by a concussion substitute (Marnus Labuschagne) for the first time in Test history. Smith returned for the next Test and scored a century. His mental strength in the series was superhuman.
Series Result
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Edgbaston | Australia win by 251 runs |
| 2nd | Lord's | Drawn |
| 3rd | Headingley | England win by 1 wicket |
| 4th | Old Trafford | Drawn |
| 5th | The Oval | Australia win by 185 runs |
Frequently asked questions
What did Ben Stokes score at Headingley in 2019?
Stokes scored 135 not out from 219 balls, adding 76 runs with last man Jack Leach to win by 1 wicket off the penultimate ball. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test innings ever played.
Who won the 2019 Ashes?
Australia retained the Ashes with a 2-2 draw. As the holders, they kept the urn. England won at Headingley but Australia won at Edgbaston and The Oval.
How many runs did Steve Smith score in 2019?
Steve Smith scored 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes at an average of 110.57, including three centuries. His performance came in his first Ashes series back after a 12-month ball-tampering suspension.