Ben Stokes hit a scintillating 155 runs in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
What many saw as the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow raised the tension within Lord’s and beyond. Ben, who was batting with Bairstow at the time, responded with yet more Ashes heroics.
Bairstow’s dismissal during the morning session changed the dynamics of the Test and England took up the challenge.
The tempo of Ben’s batting, and the England innings quicked like a greyhound from the traps.
After pacing the earlier phase of his innings, Ben pinged the lids and ripped into the Australian bowlers.
The England fans started to dream – could this be Headingly 2019 all over again?
The further Ben hit the ball, the stronger the belief that England might chase down the runs became.
Ben brought up his century with three sixes. After taking 99 balls to reach his half-century, Ben completed his second fifty off 47.
Together with Stuart Broad (11) the score rapidly moved along. The pair added 107 for the seventh wicket, taking England almost to within toucjing distance of victory.
When Ben reached 150, he took his tally of First-Class runs to 10,000.
Ben took his total to 155 (9 sixes, 9 fours) off 214 balls before his dismissal. He left the field to a standing ovation, but also leaving England’s hopes of winning a distant prospect.
Australia ran out the winners by 43 runs and now lead the series 2-0.
(Phoenix Media Image Created from a Photo by Julian Finney – ECB/ECB via Getty Images)