Most of you know about Ben Stokes' batting heroics but how many Ben Stokes wickets can you recollect in international cricket? Read on because we have brought you all you need to know about Ben Stokes the bowler.
Ben Stokes is one of the best all-rounders of his generation and has had a huge impact on English cricket. Currently he is leading England in the Ashes with his inspired and aggressive style of captaincy. They have had great success since Stokes took the reins last year and ‘Bazball' has been thoroughly entertaining as he promised.
Ben Stokes has been the heart of the English side for the last decade, playing a key role in winning the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup as well as in the Ashes. They say you don't judge Ben Stokes by numbers, you do it by his impact, and it's hard to argue against.
Talking about his bowling, Ben Stokes has played 240 matches in England's jersey across three formats. He has taken 294 wickets in total, with some memorable moments. Stokes has played 92 Tests before the start of the 2023 Ashes, picking 194 wickets at an average of 32.10. In ODI cricket, he has taken 74 wickets at 42.39 apiece while in T20 internationals, he has 26 wickets at 8.39 economy.
Now that you know the number of Ben Stokes wickets across formats in international cricket, let's talk about his journey and best performances in his career.
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Ben Stokes Journey
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand on June 4, 1991, Ben Stokes moved to England in his childhood. He had a rich sporting history in his family with his father playing international rugby for New Zealand. His potential was quite visible in his early years and made rapid strides.
Stokes made his One-Day debut for Durham in 2009 and went on to play the 2009-10 Under-19 World Cup, in a batch that also had Joe Root and Jos Buttler. There he grabbed eyeballs after smashing a century against India. He made his international debut in an ODI against Ireland in August 2011.
Stokes had to wait until December 2013 for his Test debut, playing the second Test of the Ashes down under, where England were hammered by 5-0. Stokes was the only positive for the visitors, scoring 279 runs in four games and he was the only batter to score a hundred in the series as Mitchell Johnson terrorised them. He also picked 15 wickets in the series at 32.79 apiece.
Ben Stokes: A Workhorse
The all-rounder did not look back after the 2013 Ashes and quickly became one of the key members of the side. Being a batting all-rounder meant that he was used sparingly with the ball. But with England trying to manage James Anderson's workload and overall lack of pace in their Test bowling attack, Stokes was often used as an enforcer.
With his knee troubles, Stokes hasn't been bowling much in recent times but there was a time he used to be a proper workhorse. England often used to employ him when the pitch didn't offer much and Stokes delivered more often than not.
Headingley 2019 is famous for Ben Stokes' ridiculous innings of 135* to chase down 359 but that game was perhaps the best example of Stokes' sheer grit with the ball. England were bowled out for just 67 and had conceded a lead of 112 runs. Australia were 85/3 at the end of 26 overs in their second innings when Stokes came on to bowl. It was a remarkable effort from him as he almost went unchanged from one end for 24 overs barring four balls from Jofra Archer who could not finish his over due to a hamstring. Stokes bowled seven maidens and picked three wickets in that innings.
Best performances: Test, ODI, T20I
Ben Stokes has produced several terrific spells over the years. Ben Stokes wickets have often changed the complexion of the match. His bowling has been very effective primarily in the longer format. Let's take a look at Ben Stokes' best performances in Test, ODI and T20I cricket.
The right-arm pacer registered his best bowling figures in a Test innings versus West Indies at Lord's in 2017. It was a series decider and Stokes ran through the Windies batting line-up with 6 for 22 in 14.3 overs as they bowled out the visitors for 123 in the first innings. James Anderson then claimed 7 for 42 in the second innings to clinch the match.
Captain strikes! 🤩
Ben Stokes gets Steve Smith to put England in the driving seat 👊#Ashes | #WTC25 | 📝: https://t.co/ZNnKIn9jeq pic.twitter.com/FvYRSAevab
— ICC (@ICC) June 17, 2023
Remember Trent Bridge 2015 where Stuart Broad snared 8 for 15 to dismantle Australia for just 60? Ben Stokes' second best innings figures came in that match. He bagged 6 for 36 in 21 overs in the second essay as England won the game by an innings and 78 runs.
Ben Stokes' best Test match figures came in his fourth match on that dreadful tour of Australia in 2013-14. In the fifth and final Test of the series, Stokes bagged 6 for 99 in the first innings and 2 for 62 in the second, adding some big scalps to th Ben Stokes wickets. He was pretty expensive in this game, conceding at 5.39 rpo. His Trent Bridge outing of 6/36 remains his actual best performance with the ball.
The superstar all-rounder has retired from the ODI format and the tally of Ben Stokes wickets in the format stands at 74. His best bowling figures came against Australia at Southampton in 2013. Stokes bagged 5 for 61 in his 10 overs, although England lost the game by 49 runs. Stokes was exceptional at the WACA, Perth in 2014 where he bagged 4 for 38 off his nine overs as England won the game by 57 runs.
The 2016 World T20 ended in a disaster for Ben Stokes when he was hit for four consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathewaite in the final. But earlier in the semifinal, he registered his best T20I figures when he bagged 3 for 26 in four overs versus New Zealand.
Ben Stokes Wickets: Career Summary
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | BBI | BBM | 5w |
| Test | 92 | 194 | 32.10 | 3.30 | 6/22 | 8/161 | 4 |
| ODI | 105 | 74 | 42.39 | 6.05 | 5/61 | 5/61 | 1 |
| T20I | 43 | 26 | 32.92 | 8.39 | 3/26 | 3/26 | – |
