**Ben Stokes: The Indomitable Spirit of English Cricket – Teams, Career, and 5 Most Shocking Moments**
**Let's Begin**
Ben Stokes is one of the most exciting and important cricketers of the contemporary age. Known for his explosive hitting, fierce bowling, and exceptional fielding, Stokes has reinvented the position of an all-rounder in cricket. From World Cup heroics to Ashes miracles, his career has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
This blog digs deep into Ben Stokes’ cricketing path, his teams, squad dynamics, and the **five most stunning and unforgettable moments** that have sealed his legacy.
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## **Ben Stokes: Teams and Squad Overview**
Ben Stokes has been a major figure in numerous teams throughout formats:
### **1. England National Cricket Team ** - **Test Cap No.:** 656 - **ODI Cap No.:** 239 - **T20I Cap No.:** 66 - ** Role:** All-rounder (Batting: Left-handed | Bowling: Right-arm fast-medium) - **Debut:** - **ODI:** 2011 versus Ireland - **T20I:** 2011 vs West Indies - **Test:** 2013 against Australia
### **2. Indian Premier League (IPL) Teams** - **Rising Pune Supergiant (2017)** – Played a vital part in their journey to the final.
- **Rajasthan Royals (2018-2021)** – Key player, recognized for his clutch heroics.
### **3. County Cricket (Durham)** - Stokes represented Durham in county cricket, where he sharpened his abilities before his international ascension.
### **How Many Players Are in England’s Current Squad?** England’s cricket team normally has: - **Test Squad:** 15-18 players - **ODI/T20I Squad:** 15 players
Stokes has been a regular presence in all formats when healthy, frequently leading as vice-captain or stand-in skipper.
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## **5 Most Shocking & Memorable Moments of Ben Stokes’ Career**
### **1. The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final – The Miracle at Lord’s** **Date:** July 14, 2019 **Opponent:** New Zealand
#### **What Happened?** - In one of the best ODI matches ever, England and New Zealand were tied after 50 overs (241 runs each) and again after the Super Over (15 runs each).
- Stokes’ undefeated **84* (98 balls)** was the backbone of England’s chase.
- A bizarre **deflection off his bat** (when diving to complete a run) resulted in **four overthrows**, a moment of absolute drama.
- England triumphed on **boundary countback**, claiming their first-ever World Cup.
#### **Why Was It Shocking? ** - The match had **three tied moments** (regulation, Super Over, boundary count).
- Stokes’ composure under pressure and the contentious overthrow rule prompted global debates.
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### **2. The Headingley Ashes Miracle (2019) – “The Impossible Chase”** **Date:** August 25, 2019 **Opponent:** Australia
#### **What Happened?**
- England needed **73 runs with just one wicket left** (Jack Leach as final man).
- Stokes performed probably the **greatest Test innings ever**, scoring **135* (219 balls)** with **11 fours and 8 sixes**.
- His partnership with Leach (1* off 17 balls) includes **legendary moments** like Leach cleaning his glasses after every ball.
- England chased down **359**—their best successful Test chase since 1928.
#### **Why Was It Shocking? ** - No one imagined England could win from **286/9**.
- Stokes single-handedly decimated Australia’s bowling, including a devastating assault on Nathan Lyon.
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### **3. The Bristol Brawl (2017) – Career in Jeopardy** **Date:** September 25, 2017
#### **What Happened?**
- Stokes was detained during a **street brawl** outside a Bristol nightclub.
- Video footage shows him **knocking out two men** in a violent confrontation.
- He was **charged with affray** and missed the 2017-18 Ashes.
#### **Why Was It Shocking?** - His reputation suffered a major damage; many feared his career was ended.
- He was **acquitted in court** but faced significant public criticism.
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### **4. The 2022 T20 World Cup Final – Captain’s Knock Under Pressure** ** Date:** November 13, 2022 **Opponent:** Pakistan
#### **What Happened?**
- Stokes, now England’s **stand-in T20 captain**, played a **match-winning 52* (49 balls)** in a frantic chase of **138**.
- His coolness under pressure (despite early troubles) helped England to their **second T20 World Cup title**.
#### **Why Was It Shocking?** - Stokes had previously struggled in T20Is; this was redemption following his **2016 T20 WC final meltdown**.
- Proved his **big-match temperament** once again.
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### **5. Retirement from ODI Cricket (2022) – A Sudden Goodbye** ** Date:** July 18, 2022
#### **What Happened?**
- Stokes announced his **shock retirement from ODIs** at just **31**, citing **workload and mental health**.
- His last ODI was a **hard-fought 84 versus South Africa**.
#### **Why Was It Shocking?** - He was still in his prime, having recently guided England to T20 WC success.
- Highlighted the **growing strain of cricket schedules** on players.
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## **Conclusion: Ben Stokes — A Once-in-a-Generation Cricketer**
Ben Stokes’ career is a **mix of talent, scandal, and redemption**. From World Cup heroics to Ashes miracles, he has delivered when it counted most. His path teaches us about **resilience, mental strength, and the price of fame**.
Whether you admire him or dispute his scandals, one thing is certain—**cricket is never dull when Ben Stokes is on the field.**
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