Ben Stokes just keeps getting better in these big games: Eoin Morgan

Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

England lost to Australia by 43 runs while chasing 371 in the fourth innings of the second Ashes Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. However, the margin of defeat could have been much higher if not for England skipper Ben Stokes’ valiant knock of 155 off 214 balls.

The star all-rounder brought back memories of Headingley as he thwarted the Aussie bowling attack by adopting a counterattacking approach. After the hosts were reduced to 193/6, Stokes went berserk and eventually finished his innings with nine fours and as many sixes. He single-handedly kept his team in the hunt for a historic victory.

Former England captain, Eoin Morgan, lavished praise on his Stokes for his ability to bring out his best in big matches.

“He (Stokes) just keeps getting better in these big games. It’s almost like the more he demands of himself, the better he gets. Great players recognize situations where they either need to take the game away from you or they need to take the sting out of the game. That’s exactly what he did as he picked and chose when he wanted to do his thing and that’s an unbelievable skill,” Morgan said while speaking to Sky Sports after the end of the match.

It was one of the best Ashes hundreds: Ricky Ponting

Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who was also involved in the discussion alongside Morgan, lauded Ben Stokes for his defiant knock. Ponting also termed the knock: “one of the best Ashes hundreds”.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the man, Ben Stokes. He was almost forced to play that way when Bairstow was out and Broad was coming in. And he did it. Most players when they are forced to play in a way, they just hit one up in the air. But 155 runs and it was one of the best Ashes hundreds,” said Ponting.

Australia lead the five-match Ashes series 2-0. England will have to win all three remaining matches from here to reclaim the prestigious urn.