Ben Stokes scores England's slowest Test fifty in 'Bazball' era
What's the story
Albeit in a losing cause, England captain Ben Stokes played a gritty knock in the second Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane. His innings of 50 off 152 balls marked the second-slowest half-century of Stokes's Test career, off 148 balls. The southpaw added 96 runs with Will Jacks for the seventh wicket to give England a slender lead. However, after their partnership was broken, England could only add another 17 runs. They later lost the contest by eight wickets.
Partnership details
Stokes and Jacks's partnership gives England a lead
England, having a first innings deficit of 177 runs, were reeling at 128/6 in their second outing. Stokes and Jacks (41) then resisted the Australian attack, knowing that losing a wicket would expose the tailenders. England resumed on Day 4 at 134/6, and the duo took the total to 224/6 before Jacks departed. Stokes fell to Michael Neser soon after getting to his fifty. The tail-enders could not do much as the Brits were folded for 241.
Match situation
Stokes played against his character
Stokes's slow innings came as a departure from his usual aggressive style of play. The Australian attack bowled tight lines and lengths, mixing short-pitch deliveries to lure England batters into playing aggressively. With England bowled out for 241, Australia required just 65 runs to win the match and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series. They crossed the line with eight wickets in hands.
DYK
Slowest fifty of Bazball era
As per Cricbuzz, Stokes's 148-ball fifty is the slowest by an England batter under head coach Brendon McCullum. He overall faced 152 balls in the innings and smoked four boundaries. Stokes hit his 36th Test fifty as he also boasts 14 tons. In 117 Test matches, Stokes has raced to 7,109 at an average of 35.36. 1,639 of his runs have come in the Ashes at 34.87 (100s: 4, 50s: 9).