Ben Stokes scored the winning four Sunday in the afternoon session on Day 4 as England finished on 362/9 in its second innings. (Reuters)Ben Stokes scored a stunning 135 not out as England kept its Ashes hopes alive with a one-wicket win over Australia in the third test at Headingley. Stokes hit the winnings run as England finished on 362/9 in its second innings, chasing an improbable target of 359. An unbeaten 76-run stand for the 10th wicket with Jack Leach helped England register its highest successful fourth-innings chase in a test match. Stokes’ incredible form over the summer earned him widespread applause on social media. Here are the best reactions after the match-
“The Summer of Stokes” is already etched into our psyche just as “Botham’s Ashes” were in 1981. @EmeraldStadium Headingley is a special ground for sheer sporting theatre. #TheAshes2019 are alive. @benstokes38 take a bow! #englandcricket #Ashes2019
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) August 25, 2019
I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years. @benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance.
Well done @ECB_cricket— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) August 25, 2019
When @GeoffreyBoycott says it’s the Greatest Test innings he has seen in 60 yrs watching the game you know it’s the GREATEST @benstokes38 !!! #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 25, 2019
You cannot do that Ben Stokes …..
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) August 25, 2019
Ben Stokes, you absolute beauty! What an innings 👏
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 25, 2019
Not sure he can quite believe what he’s just done? @benstokes38 #Ashes 🏴🏏🔥 pic.twitter.com/R5Yi1Oi4Ri
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 25, 2019
What an amazing innings…
One of the best ever innings played by someone special … @stokesy
100% FIGHTER 💪🏽#cricketatitsbest 👌#ashes #test pic.twitter.com/t8FZpYhdAW— Sanju Samson (@IamSanjuSamson) August 25, 2019
Hi, my name is Ben, Ben Stokes!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) August 25, 2019
Wow! Another all time great Test innings. Second this year. Kusal Perara in Feb & Stokes today. 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#Ashes2019
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 25, 2019
Nothing like the drama of test match cricket #Ashes19
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) August 25, 2019
Time and again @benstokes38 Plays the kind of cricket and wins the games which makes him the best all rounder of the current lot #ashes #TestCricket #freak
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 25, 2019
Unbelievable scenes at the ashes ! @benstokes38 can’t really describe what you did with that bat, hats of to you 🎩 test cricket at its best 🏏 #Ashes2019
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 25, 2019
What a remarkable Test Match. One of the best test 100s you will see. Brilliant stuff from @benstokes38 Gritty contribution from Leach. Congratulations @ECB_cricket #Ashes #ENGAUS
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 25, 2019
This innings from Stokes could change the way teams approach a similar situation – where a big-hitting batsman is playing with a number 11. What a cricketer.
In many ways, similar to the way Laxman and Dravid changed the approach to follow-ons, 18 years ago.
— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) August 25, 2019
What an innings from @benstokes38, will go down as one of the greatest test innings, Headingley does it again! #Ashes #BenStokes
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 25, 2019
That was pretty special! @benstokes38 , that was ridiculous! Well done. Ashes alive and well.
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 25, 2019
The teams are now level at 1-1 in the series. Australia would have secured the famous urn with a 2-0 lead and only two tests remaining in the five-match series. The fourth test starts Sept. 4 at Old Trafford. Australia won the previous Ashes series 4-0 Down Under in 2017-18.
