‘One of the best two feelings in cricket pitch’

England were shunned to 67 all-out in their first innings of the third Ashes Test and lost 9 wickets when 73 more runs required to win. The show was yet to begin in Headingley.

When there seemed to have no hopes at all, and with it the dreams of Ashes went into ashes, England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes held his nerve relentlessly with an unbeaten 135 that pushed his team to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Australia.

It was, however, one of the most remarkable Test wins in the history of the game.

“I never gave up,” said Stokes who sealed the win with an emphatic four through cover off Cummins.

Stokes’ partner in win Jack Leach, the last batsman in English line-up was also rock solid. Protected his wicket by hook and crook with a single run behind his name.

Stokes protected Leach refusing quite a number of singles while he made a solo assault to Australian bowlers like the one he did six weeks ago in the World Cup final at Lord’s.

“Unbelievable,” Stokes told Sky Sports later on.

“It’s one I’ll never forget. “I’ve got to try and take it all in,” added Stokes, whose batting heroics helped Englnd win the World Cup for the first time in July.

“I’m not sure it’ll ever happen again. It’s one of the two best feelings I’ve ever felt on a cricket pitch,” he said.

“Walking off there at the end when the whole of Headingley was standing up and celebrating was a very special moment and something I had to try to take.

“Moments like that don’t come along very often. It was just an amazing game to be a part of. To be there at the end and still keep our Ashes hopes alive was a pretty special feeling,” he added.

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— Specsavers (@Specsavers) August 25, 2019