England captain Ben Stokes has joined cricket legends Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers in an exclusive club. Stokes achieved this feat by dismissing West Indies batter Kirk McKenzie lbw on day two at Lord's, becoming only the third player to take 200 wickets and score 6,000 runs in Test cricket.
Sir Garfield Sobers, a West Indies great, amassed 8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974. South African star Jacques Kallis scored 13,289 runs and took 292 wickets between 1995 and 2013. Stokes, who debuted for England against Australia in December 2013 and played his 100th Test match in India last winter, has returned to his all-rounder role following successful knee surgery.
Stokes' return as a fully-fledged all-rounder enhances England's team balance and is a significant boost as they prepare for the next Ashes series in Australia in 2025-26.
On the first day at Lord's, Stokes bowled an eight-over spell against the West Indies, dismissing opener Mikyle Louis with a remarkable one-handed catch by Harry Brook. In the second innings, he dismissed Louis again, reaching 201 wickets when the batter edged behind to Jamie Smith, completing 10 overs in that spell. Before the series, Stokes expressed his excitement about returning to his dual role, accentuating the hard work he put into his recovery and the value he brings to the team as a fourth seamer.
Former England captain Andrew Strauss highlighted the positive impact of Stokes' recovery on the team, noting his energy and effectiveness with the ball. Strauss acknowledged that while Stokes' batting form has dipped recently, his ability to bowl effectively and add balance to the team is invaluable.