How impactful is BEN STOKES for ENGLAND test cricket team?

Ben Stokes is one of the Best All-rounders in Test Cricket now-a-days. He proves his value in England Test side and became invaluable player for England cricket team. He is a good batsman at the no. 6 position, a good seam bowler and a outstanding fielder. His all-round ability keeps the team-balance right and stable for England.

Let me show you the Career Stats of Ben Stokes first.

BATTING STATS:

BOWLING STATS:

IMPACT:

Recently he became the "Match savior" for the England team. He showed his strong determination and saved many matches by his own ability, which England could lost. From April 2015 to the start of current Ashes series, Ben Stokes had the highest number of 50+ scores for someone batting at number 5 or lower in Tests. At this period of time, he hits 17 fifty-plus scores while his team-mate Johnny Bairstow has 16 and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq has 15 fifty-plus scores respectively. Moreover, Stokes scored these scores at a fair clip of Strike-rate too i.e., 66.27 and which is second best strike rate in Tests (Best: David Warner - 80.90). He scored 5 tons during this time and which joint highest for someone batting at number 5 or lower in Tests with India's Ajinkya Rahane & Pakistan's Asad Safiq. In fact, in this duration of time period, Stokes is the second highest run-scorer (2107 runs) in Tests (Highest: Johnny Bairstow - 2216 runs). Stokes has such impact in England side that he has 5 Man of the Match awards in this particular time duration, which is joint most MoMs by any players in Test with India's Ravindra Jadeja.

Now look at some best performances by Ben Stokes in recent times. 

BATTING:

BOWLING:

Remember his batting position is number-5 or 6 and he plays as a 5th bowler for England. Still his impact is very precious for England Test team.

Ashes Controversy:

Ben Stokes would have been on the plane to Australia for Ashes series. But that was before he decided to throw a few punches outside a bar in Bristol (Last week of September, 2017). For this "nondisciplinary action" Stokes has been suspended from International Cricket by ECB. And this incident (read "accident") came like a hard punch to England's face and England's Ashes hopes took a big hit. England couldn't recover from this damage and already lost the Ashes by 4-0. England struggled a lot to survive in Australia without this mighty all-rounder. Maybe if "Savior" Stokes was there for England, the Ashes scoreline 4-0 would have been different, who knows?

So, ECB should handle Ben Stokes sensitively and there is no doubt that he is the most valuable All-rounder in Test Cricket at this moment.

(Stats Courtesy: Howstat.com; Photo Source: Google)

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