Ben Stokes has never won a Test match in Australia – let alone an Ashes series – and the ‘Superman’ of cricket now faces the biggest challenge of his career
His place in the pantheon of cricketing greats is already assured. Because Ben Stokes surely has nothing left to prove, with either bat or ball in his hand.
But he does. Don’t shoot the messenger, but Stokes remains unfulfilled as a sportsman, despite all of his remarkable achievements. He’s won the World Cup, and been man of the match in the most astonishing final in history. He’s been ICC ‘Cricketer of the Year’ twice, and played the most astonishing Test innings of all time to help England win an Ashes Test at Headingley in 2019.
Footage of his 135 not out that glorious afternoon in Leeds still looks surreal. Google Stokes’ list of honours and achievements and there are too many to list. But there is one glaring omission. One itch even someone with super human skills has been unable to scratch. Stokes has never won a single Test match in Australia – let alone an Ashes series.
The last three times England have travelled Down Under, they have returned home humiliated. The aggregate score is 13-o to the Aussies.
Stokes is not to blame. In fact, he was the one shining light from the disastrous 5-0 whitewash in 2021/22.
But there is no escaping the fact that some of this collateral damage has left a frustrating stain on his otherwise superlative CV. A mark which now looks like being harder to shift, following England’s shambolic defeat in the first Test in Perth.
Stokes is an elite sportsman who wants to join the most elite of clubs. One which has only admitted two members in nigh on half a century.
Mike Gatting and Andrew Strauss are the only England captains to return home with the urn in the last 46 years.
Stokes has pushed England to unprecedented heights during his time as captain. But now he must strap the team on his back one more time in a bid to scale his Everest.
The debate still rages about who is the greatest England cricketer of the lot. Some believe Sir Ian Botham is.
While others reckon Andrew Flintoff takes the mantle, due to his dazzling role in the most famous Ashes series of all in 2005.
But if Stokes can now somehow lead England to ultimate glory in Oz this winter, he will come home as the most ultimate cricketer England has ever had.
The debate mentioned above will be over, once and for all. The ginger genius has delivered repeatedly on the game’s biggest stages, with career-defining bowling stints and unforgettable knocks.
At times, he has resembled ‘Superman’ , only dressed in white and missing the cape. But the biggest stage of all remains Australia – and Stokes is now facing the sternest test of his career.
At the age of 34, he knows this will be his last crack at beating the Aussies on their own soil. If he does, Stokes will fly straight back home and into cricketing immortality.
And if he doesn’t, the debate who is the greatest will rage on and on.