Ben Stokes has made history by becoming only the third player ever, and the first Englishman, to achieve the remarkable double of scoring 6,000-plus runs and taking 200-plus wickets in Test cricket. This milestone was reached during the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's. Stokes achieved his 200th Test wicket by dismissing Kirk McKenzie in his first over. Across 103 Tests, he has accumulated 6,320 runs at an average of 35.30, including 13 centuries and 31 fifties, with a highest score of 258.
In comparison, the other two legends in this elite category are West Indies' Garry Sobers (8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests) and South Africa's Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs and 292 wickets in 166 Tests).
Furthermore, Ben Stokes has also achieved the distinction of being the sixth player overall, and the first from England, to achieve the double of 10,000 runs and 300 wickets across all international cricket formats. In his 260 international matches, Stokes has scored 10,368 runs at an average of 35.75, including 18 centuries and 56 fifties, with a best score of 258. He has also taken over 300 wickets in international cricket.
Turning to the match itself, England's decision to field first paid off as they bowled out the West Indies for 121 runs in 41.4 overs. England then built a substantial lead of 250 runs in their first innings, scoring 371 runs before being dismissed. Contributions came from Zak Crawley (76), Jamie Smith (70 on debut), Joe Root (68), Ollie Pope (57), and Harry Brook (50). West Indies' bowlers were led by Jayden Seales (4/77), with support from Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie who took two wickets each.
West Indies (Playing XI):
- Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva (w), Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamarh Brooks, Jayden Seales
England (Playing XI):
- Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (w), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson
This match at Lord's Cricket Ground not only highlighted Ben Stokes' historic achievements but also showcased England's dominant performance with both bat and ball against the West Indies.