England captain Ben Stokes is proving to be the all-rounder many had hoped for—and he’s delivering at just the right time. Initially expected to play only a minor role with the ball due to recent injuries, Stokes defied expectations by claiming his first five-wicket haul since 2017 during the fourth Test against India.
Before the series began, Stokes had been candid about his fitness, stating that simply bowling pain-free would already be a victory.
“I can’t remember the last time I could really focus on the technical aspects of my bowling,” he told reporters last month. “Getting back to where I was before all the injuries feels really good. Naturally, a few changes had crept into my action over time.”
After a second hamstring surgery in January, Stokes didn’t return to bowling until May. Still, he quickly took on a heavy workload, bowling more overs than any other England player during the third Test at Lord’s. In Manchester this week, he continued that form—surpassing his previous best for overs bowled in a single series.
Though he hasn’t scored a Test century since July 2023, Stokes’s performance with the ball has been game-changing. His five-for in Manchester places him among an elite group of all-rounders: he’s now one of just four players in Test history to have achieved 10 or more centuries and five or more five-wicket hauls.
At 34, Stokes is also on course for his most productive series with the ball—and with potentially three innings still to go against India, that record could grow.
“He’s a phenomenal cricketer,” said England opener Zak Crawley, who scored 84 as England closed day two on 225-2, trailing India’s first innings by 133 runs.
“His attitude is relentless. He just keeps coming. People sometimes overlook how effective he is with the ball. It’s brilliant to see him back to full rhythm—and he got the rewards today.”
Stokes’s contributions with the bat may still shape the final outcome of the match, but his resurgence as a bowler is already delivering a crucial lift for England.
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