Cricket Classics - Part Xiv : 2019 Headingly Ashes Test – England vs Australia

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.

So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. Anyway, after missing out a few weeks, I am with another iconic match.

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Well, I will present you with another masterclass inning from Ben Stokes. After a few months from his heroic inning in the 2019 World Cup Final to bring England's maiden World Cup, he pulled off another heist in the Test Format. Recently, it may fall behind the winning knock from Kusal Perera.

It's the most anticipated Test series, Ashes. In August and September of 2019, Australia visited England for a 5-match Test series to start the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship cycle. England came under Joe Root with a solid line-up with Roy Burns, Butler, Bairstaw, Archer, Stuard Board, etc. And Australian team was captained by Tim Paine with their pro players like, Labuschagne, Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Hazlewood, Cummins, etc. They were in sole focus to retain the Ashes.

The Aussie won the first match at Birmingham comfortably, and the second one at Lords was drawn with the interruptions from the rain.

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It was on the 22nd of August at Headingley Cricket Ground. England won the toss and elected to field. Anyway, once again with the interruptions from the rain, it wasn't easy to bat on for the Aussies. They lost 2 early wickets, but Warner and Labuschagne added 111 runs for the third wicket with half-centuries. Anyway, there was nothing much after that, as Australia was balled out for just 179 runs. Jofra Archer took his maiden fifer with 6 wickets.

England’s reply to this was a disaster. They were bowled out for just 67 in 27.5 overs. It was their lowest total in the Ashes since 1948. Only one player crossed the double-digit, especially with the fifer from Hazlewood.

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So, even after a small total, Australia started the second innings with a 112-run lead. They once again lost regular wickets, but Marnus Labuschagne held from one end and managed a few important partnerships. He scored 80 runs, while Australia was balled out for 246 giving a 359 target.

While chasing a record score, they didn't have the perfect start. Lost both the openers for just 15 runs. From there Joe Denly and Joe Root built a solid partnership with 126 runs with half-centuries renewing the hopes. Our protagonist Ben Stokes came to the crease when England was at 141/3. Shortly after Root's wicket Stokes paired with Bairstow and batted sensibly to build an 86-run partnership. These two kept the hopes alive.

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But once again, the final blow happened for England losing wickets from 245/4 to 286/9. So, when the final man Jack Leach came to the crease, there were still 73 runs to get. Their plan was simple; Ben Stokes to play more balls and have quick runs, and Leach to defend his wicket.

And that's what they exactly executed. Stokes attacked Aussie ballers and kept Leach away from the strike as much as possible. Meanwhile, Australia missed a tough catch and a run-out chance. And with just 2 runs to get, Stokes survived an LBW chance, as the Aussies were out of reviews.

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Stokes smashed the final blow off Cummins to generate a historical win. It was England's highest-ever successful run chase in Test cricket. Ben Stokes' unbeaten 135* off 219 balls can be regarded as one of the greatest knocks in Test Cricket. With that inning, he became an icon in all three formats. And it has to appreciate the effort from Leach defending 17 balls to make this happen.

See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.

src - Wikipedia
espncricinfo

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Best Regards!