Ben Stokes Joins Cricketing Legends with Milestone AchievementBen Stokes Joins Cricketing Legends with Milestone Achievement England all-rounder Ben Stokes has etched his name into cricket history by becoming the third player and the first from England to reach both 6,000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket. Stokes achieved the remarkable milestone in the first Test of the three-match series against the West Indies at Lord’s. He dismissed batter Kirk McKenzie in his first over to secure his 200th Test wicket. With 6,320 Test runs to his name, Stokes joins an elite group alongside West Indian great Garry Sobers (8,032 runs) and South African legend Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs). Stokes’ exceptional performance extends beyond Test cricket. He is only the sixth player overall and the first England player ever to amass 10,000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket. In the first Test, West Indies struggled to a total of 121, while England gained a 250-run lead with 371 runs in their innings. Zak Crawley, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook all contributed half-centuries. Jayden Seales was the standout bowler for the West Indies, claiming 4/77, while Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie also picked up wickets. The match featured notable performances from both teams, with Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, and Shamar Joseph making significant contributions for the West Indies, while Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, and James Anderson played key roles for England. This latest achievement further solidifies Ben Stokes’ status as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, solidifying his place among the legends of the game.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has joined the ranks of cricketing legends by becoming the third player and the first from England to reach 6,000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket. The remarkable milestone places him alongside West Indian great Garry Sobers and South African legend Jacques Kallis. Stokes achieved the feat in the first Test of the three-match series against the West Indies at Lord’s.
Stokes dismissed batter Kirk McKenzie in his first over to secure his 200th Test wicket. He has taken 200 wickets in 103 Tests. With the bat he has scored 6,320 runs at an average of 35.30, including 13 centuries and 31 fifties, with a best score of 258. Sobers amassed 8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests, while Kallis amassed 13,289 runs and 292 wickets in 166 Tests.
Stokes also became the sixth overall and the first England player ever to reach 10,000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket. In 260 international matches, Stokes scored 10,368 runs at an average of 35.75, with 18 centuries and 56 fifties, and also captured 300 wickets. Other players to achieve the double milestone in Tests include Carl Hooper, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jacques Kallis, Shahid Afridi and Shakib al Hasan.
In the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. West Indies struggled to post a competitive total, losing wickets regularly. Mikyle Louis, Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze were the top scorers as West Indies managed just 121 runs in 41.4 overs. In their first innings, England gained a 250-run lead and scored 371 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Zak Crawley, debutant Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.
Jayden Seales was the standout bowler for West Indies with figures of 4/77, while Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie took two wickets each. The playing XI for West Indies included Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales. The England team included Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson.
(Disclaimer: With input from authorities.)
