Is it possible to simultaneously feel elation and deep despair?
Is there even a word for this excruciating affliction?
Ben Stokes has just played the most dishearteningly magnificent innings I have ever suffered through in my cricketing life.
I am old enough to remember Ian Botham’s ‘give em some humpty’ slog-fest at Headingley in ’81. But most of it occurred when I was curled up in bed. I also remember Brian Lara’s sublime 153 not out at Barbados in ’99, but I was either snoring or driving to work through most of it.
By contrast, I saw the whole of Stokes’ truly extraordinary innings. Every assured, determined and defiant defensive shot. Every blazing, exhilarating and glorious stroke to, or beyond, the boundary rope.
There was a certainty to Stokes’ innings which I found unnerving, even as English wickets finally began to fall. This was the stuff of mythic destiny.
That he batted with such caution for so long was worrying. That he battered the boundary with such frequency, with the last man at the wicket, was soul-destroying.
And, like any life-affirming Shakespearean drama, there was self-inflicted tragedy. A couple of half-chances. A muffed run-out. An ill-advised DRS review which left the Aussies defenceless to bad umpiring when it mattered.
When Stokes smashed the final ball to the cover boundary, I buried my head in my hands. Yet when I looked up again and saw my nemesis standing in the middle of Headingley, emitting a primordial roar of glorious conquest, I felt nothing but profound admiration.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Stokes is not a player I have warmed to in the past. But he’s turned me around. This was an innings of much mastery and of such majesty that you have to stand and applaud. If you can’t find that within yourself, then you’re a nark.
This is why we love Test cricket.
As the World Cup final demonstrated, there is excitement, pathos and heroics to be found in the limited-overs format.
But no other form of the game – or any other sport – is capable of creating the same inexorable, slow-burn, spine-jangling, nerve-tweaking, heart-gasping, palm-sweating, tension-snapping, passionate excitement of a gripping, ebb-and-flow Test match.
And this one had everything. From Jofra Archer’s menace in dim conditions on Day 1, to the Aussie bowling rampage on Day 2, to Australia’s grinding ascendancy on Day 3, to the most astonishing English redemption on Day 4.
This is why we love Test cricket.
And this is why, beneath the anguished sorrow I feel at a missed opportunity which may not come again, there is an unexpected rapture bubbling away in my cricket-loving heart.
Ben Stokes, you magnificent bastard!
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Danno74. I agree that Stokes is a better batsman than either Imran or Botham. With Beefy, in particular, you always felt like he might get out. With Stokes, however, particularly on Sunday night, I just couldn't see how we were going to get him.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Stokes looks the big difference between the 2 sides. Bats as well as any all rounder I have seen, better than Imran and Botham. Not as good a bowler as Imran and Dev but still very good, getting it up to 145 with movement.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
That's pretty funny, being sledged by your own Dad! I was such a die-hard supporter of the Aussies that my own class mates identified me with the team. So I copped it at school the next day. And after the similar debacle at Edgbaston! And and we were walloped by the Windies in 84/85... They were merciless!
Mark
Guest
So was I Peter (I was 12). I went to bed at 4-58, and woke up to my English father's gloating at England's win. I have since watched the video "Botham's Ashes" which shows the debacle (and the collapse at Edgbaston in the 4th test, and Botham's stunning century in the 5th test) in all its gory detail.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
That's a great point Kannga2. Whilst Flintoff had the wood over us in 05, we proceeded to captain England to a 5-0 drubbing in 06/07. Which Botham defeat are you talking about? 82/83 or 89? I suspect the former, but our bowlers were not that ordinary. Lawson, in particular, had a great series. Thommo and Hoggy were pretty good too...as was the late Bruce Yardley.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
I was in High School during that traumatic test series. And I still carry the scars! I actually don't remember much of Australia's innings. I think I must have gone to bed and woken to the devastating news.
Mark
Guest
Homer, There was nothing inevitable about England's win in 1981 at Headingley. Australia reached 1-56 chasing 130 and looked confident (probably overconfident), before a collapse to 4-58. More wickets fell after lunch, until Dennis Lillee almost hit Australia to a win, before the last 2 wickets fell and Australia finished 18 runs behind England.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Max Don’t be embarrassed about stokes masterful innings Just embrace it because it was amazing Over their test history Australia were dominant and defied botham and flintoff plenty of times . Australia defeated botham with some of Australia’s most ordinary of bowlers playing an important role .
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Homer. My perception was different to yours. When Stokes batted with such application and caution on the 3rd evening, I recognised that he was a major threat; more than Root. Throughout that last day, I was felt England were playing with a passion which could see them knock off the required 203 runs. Bairstow made me more nervous. Even when some wickets tumbled, I was thinking "we have to get Stokes out". I always felt like England were going to make it. If I could pinpoint a moment when I felt "this really does have a feel of mythic destiny about it", it was when Stokes reversed sweeped Lyon for 6. There were still quite a number of runs to go (with the last man at the wicket), but I felt a sense of inevitability. And I'm an optimist by nature!
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
The other disturbing aspect of that progression, Max, is that Australia were up 1-0 in the Botham Ashes ('81), the Flintoff Ashes ('05) and now the potential Stokes Ashes ('19). What can the Aussies do to reverse the trend?
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
I know exactly how you feel!
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
It's been a great, great series BarmyFarmer! I fear that the Aussies have missed their chance, but I am glad there is a gap between Headingley and Old Trafford so we can collect our thoughts and move forward. It certainly feels like this is "The Summer of Ben", doesn't it. The good news is that Test Cricket is thriving.
max power
Guest
congrats to NZ on producing anther quality player what is it with australia that sees them get dominated by all rounders with batting averages in the low 30s? (botham 33, flintoff 32 and stokes 35)
Homer Gain
Guest
Nice piece Peter. I think you capture a true cricket fan's experience of Stokes' effort, regardless of national allegiance. Rather as England fans have been in awe of Steve Smith this year. For what it's worth, I think Stokes' effort outmatched Botham's (and I saw that on telly in 81). Brilliant as that was, he didn't do it alone. The late great Graham Dilley got 50 and Chris Old 30 or so. And of course Bob Willis' 8-43 was the essential denouement. There was also an inevitabiliuty about the 81 finish long before the end; Australia looked beaten before they came out for their 2nd innings. By contrast, yesterday I wasn't sure England would win until Jack Leach got his precious single to tie the scores. One final point amidst all the condemnation of poor Tim Paine. For all the errors he made yesterday, I don't think enough weight has been given to the loss of support from senior players which has been the long-term result of sandpaper-gate. Perhaps inevitably, the likes of Smith, Warner and some others don't seem to have felt able to contribute to collective decision-making with the result that Paine has looked very isolated. The call to review Cummins' LBW appeal, when even the bowler was shaking his head, looked like the action of a man who didn't feel he had anyone to turn to for a word of calm advice.
BarmyFarmer
Roar Rookie
I think you're spot on Mark. However the big question still is around Englands batting. We have absolutely no runs in the openers and whilst Root showed discipline in the 2nd innings he still looks short of form. Bairstow has showed glimpses whilst Buttler looks completely out of nick. If Anderson comes back in for Woakes that will leave Archer coming in at 8 and Broad at 9 which lengthens the tail. I still think Smith and Labs may just do enough to win at least one of the last two games and retain the ashes. Then again superman stokes could get another 15 wickets and score another two centuries and England win 3-1. I'm certainly looking forward to getting down to Old Trafford for day 3 fingers crossed for another epic!
SDHoneymonster
Guest
In fairness there is a WT20 next year, makes sense for sides to be switching into T20 mode to prepare.
Bee bee
Guest
This series is epic..... Although It’s slowly killing me. I can’t turn it off and even when I do I can’t get to sleep. This morning I put petrol in my diesel car. But it’s worth it..... I just hope I survive to see the fifth test.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Zozza. I'm grateful for that! It should be a great Aust v NZ series this summer. Bring it!
Yet, NZ are playing 18 T20 International matches at home this summer. 18! For F/Sake. We were a whisker away from winning WC and are the number 2 ranked Team in Test Cricket, yet our board just want us to play T20's. It's a crying shame. You Aussies are so lucky you get to play more Test cricket than most nations.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Great analogy! One day cricket is an episode of Friends whereas Test Cricket is The West Wing!