Ben Stokes Achieves Record Bowling Figures as England Faces Australia in Ashes Test
Stokes Sets New Record for England in Ashes
In a remarkable performance during the Ashes Test in Australia, all-rounder Ben Stokes recorded the best bowling figures by an England captain, achieving 5 wickets for just 23 runs in six overs at Perth's Optus Stadium.
Stokes played a pivotal role by breaking a crucial 45-run partnership between Travis Head and Cameron Green, who had lifted Australia from a precarious position of 31 for 4. He dismissed both batters and later took out wicketkeeper Alex Carey, along with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
This achievement makes Stokes the fifth English captain to secure a five-wicket haul in an Ashes Test on Australian soil, joining the ranks of Gubby Allen, Johnny Douglas, Freddie Brown, and Bob Willis.
This year, Stokes has excelled as a bowler, claiming 25 wickets in six Tests at an impressive average of 20.16, including two five-wicket hauls in 11 innings. Earlier, he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India, with 17 wickets in four matches.
After Australia was bowled out for 132 in response to England's first innings total of 172, a solid partnership between Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett gave England a 99-run lead by the end of the first session on day two.
At the close of the session, England stood at 59 for 1, with Duckett on 28 not out and Pope on 24 not out.
Australia resumed day two at 123 for 9, with Brendan Doggett and Nathan Lyon at the crease. They managed to rotate the strike, but Duckett's excellent catch ended Australia's innings at 132 in 45.2 overs, leaving them trailing by 40 runs.
Stokes was the standout bowler for England, taking key wickets of Head and Green, who had been building a partnership after a shaky start. The Australian batting lineup faced early challenges from Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, who claimed three and two wickets, respectively.
With a 40-run lead, England aimed to extend their advantage, but Mitchell Starc's stunning one-handed catch dismissed Zak Crawley for a duck, leaving England at 0 for 1.
Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett then steadied the innings once more.
On the first day, England won the toss and chose to bat first. Despite a promising start from Duckett, who scored 21 runs, England found themselves in trouble at 39 for 3, with Joe Root also dismissed for a duck by Starc. A partnership between Pope and Harry Brook helped stabilize the innings, but England lost half their side for just 115 runs. Brook and Jamie Smith attempted a counter-attack, but Starc and Doggett restricted England's scoring, leading to their total of 172 runs in 32.5 overs.
Brief Scores: Australia: 132 (Alex Carey 26, Cameron Green 24, Ben Stokes 5/23) vs England: 172 and 59/1 (Ben Duckett 28*, Ollie Pope 24*, Mitchell Starc 1/13).