The advent of shorter formats of cricket have slightly diminished the popularity of red ball cricket viz test match cricket. Rise of lucrative T20 leagues like Indian Premier League ( IPL ), Big Bash League ( BBL ), Pakistan Super League ( PSL ) etc… has been detrimental for the growth of the test match cricket. The prevalence of the longer format of the game has considerably dwindled during the last one decade or so. Yet, every aspiring cricketer longs to represent his/her nation in the format because this format requires absolute skills, temperament, patience, grit, leadership qualities and discipline to make it to the elite level of the game. Though Indo-Pak rivalry in cricket thrills and excites the cricket lovers of the Indian subcontinent, but ” Ashes ” is unequivocally the biggest contest of the red ball cricket, and this duel of test cricket dates back to its inception, because the first test match was played between the arch rivals of the game viz Australia and England. The two teams have given us some cliffhangers and suspense-thrillers in the past as well. Delivery of the twentieth century by the late Shane Warne – The spin wizard, to get rid of Mike Gatting, will be remembered for ever.
Ashes 2023 is underway in England, with Australia leading the cricketing bonanza by an unassailable dominance of 2-0. Kangaroos have exhibited some wonderful display of willow and leather; and the Englishmen haven’t been less artistic, aggressive and technical though they ended up as losers in the both games played so far. Second match of the series concluded recently at the premier English venue – Lords – The Mecca of cricket. The match won’t be remembered for its winners, rather for heroics from the likes of Ben Stokes who won hearts of millions with his classic and calculated aggression. The blonde Skipper registered an unparalleled similitude of attack, courage and defence with his bat. He notched up his thirteenth test ton in style against Ausies. Cricketing pundits rate the epic innings as one of the finest innings of the entire test match history. He has left some indelible imprints on the canvas of the gentlemen’s game.
Fifth day of the test match began with a caution from the English skipper. Ben Ducket continued to score runs at a brisk rate. But, the left-hander perished to a Hazelwood short pitch delivery. Johnny Barristow fell prey to Kangaroos’ cowardice and cheapness when Alex Carey ran him out in a mean way. The run-out of Barristow infuriated and inflamed the English skipper. Soon after the departure of Jonny Barristow, the South African born southpaw changed gears. He took the attack to the opposite camp. The barrage of sixes and fours from his wooden gun entertained the English crowd, and millions of admirers of the game on digital screens lauded the valour of Stokes . The English juggernaut all-rounder not only stood like a rock of Gibraltar in the centre, but roared like a lion before Kangaroo pace battery. His willow showered high intensity volly of shells over the boundary ropes. His lofted pulls over square leg and mid-wicket were brutal. Sixes over long-on region were even bigger and loftier.
I don’t remember the instance of late when Australian pacers have come under such a brutal onslaught and assault by any batsman. Kangaroo pace spearhead – Mitchell Stork, Pat Cummins and Hazelwood won’t sleep properly for weeks together. The carnage will give them nightmarish moments ahead in their careers. The blitzkrieg of a vehemently ferocious and flamboyant warrior of English team was a treat to watch. Stokes went berserk on all the four Australian pacers. He stood tall between Kangaroos and the victory. He almost took the game single-handedly away from them. When the margin came down below the hundred mark, Australians began to droop their shoulders. They were desperately looking to get rid of Stokes. But, he had other ideas. He pelted the Australian fast bowlers to all corners of the majestic Lords ground. The short pitch stuff from kangaroos speedsters had a perfectly equal reply from the bat of Ben. He pulled everything aimed at him to perfection.
But, all good things must come to an end. So did the Stokes innings. Finally, at 3:14 pm, on the penultimate day of the test match, the aggression of Ben Stokes was ceased by a Hazelwood delivery, when the former tried to pull it over deep mid-wicket. He miscued the hit to an easy chance to Alex Carey at short cover. Entire Lords crowd, including English dugout and the opposition camp gave a standing ovation to the English skipper for his great knock. The world of cricket will remember the innings for centuries to come. Well played Ben ! Hope the rest of the series proves more intriguing and sensational.
(Author is a Teacher and a Columnist. He can be reached at [email protected])
