Ben Stokes
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:07 pm
Ben stokes has been very impressive in his debut test series.The performance of 15 wickets @ 32.80 with the ball and 279 runs @ 34.87 is impressive for an all rounder in any conditions and against any opposition.The ton at Perth and six fer at Sydney were spectacular performances.To make a debut at an age of 22 and convert talent into performances with both bat and bowl at international level in a high pressure test series speaks a lot about his temperament as well.
Another impressive aspect of those 6 wickets was that he got the batters caught out in the catching positions which were precisely placed by Cook. The one at short cover and short mid on was the example of bowling to the plan and gettign the batsman out.Clarke is one of the best test batsman at the moment along with Amla, and it will definitely do Ben's confidence to have taken the prize wicket.In his careeer best haul of 6/99, 4 of the wickets were of in form batters (Rogers,Clarke,Smith and Haddin).He pitched the ball up, made the batsmen drive and got the wickets.He bowled with a plan and to the field that was set.
His ton came under pressure having marked the crease at 121/4. Also, the wicket had a big crack, was big enough to cause some issues and position itself in batsman's mind.A hundred on such a wicket is indeed an acheivement on day 5.That will help his confidence when he bats on day 5 on deterrirating wickets in future.That was the only ton that any English batsman managed on this 5 test tour.He followed that ton with a handy 50 run knock.
On a personal front it is very good for him that he got a ton and a six fer in his debut test series.Many cricketers are talented but more importantly the talent is useful if it comes out on field at international level.Also, the earliest it comes out the better it is for the player and the team.
Now that he has ensured a spot in next test playing 11,he will be expected of such performances time and again.Being an allrounder, he might improve one skill and get lesser at other or improve in both his skill sets.Over the time he practices with the team in nets and his performances in future tests, the thinktank will be able to identify the role he can play during his career at international level.
Another impressive aspect of those 6 wickets was that he got the batters caught out in the catching positions which were precisely placed by Cook. The one at short cover and short mid on was the example of bowling to the plan and gettign the batsman out.Clarke is one of the best test batsman at the moment along with Amla, and it will definitely do Ben's confidence to have taken the prize wicket.In his careeer best haul of 6/99, 4 of the wickets were of in form batters (Rogers,Clarke,Smith and Haddin).He pitched the ball up, made the batsmen drive and got the wickets.He bowled with a plan and to the field that was set.
His ton came under pressure having marked the crease at 121/4. Also, the wicket had a big crack, was big enough to cause some issues and position itself in batsman's mind.A hundred on such a wicket is indeed an acheivement on day 5.That will help his confidence when he bats on day 5 on deterrirating wickets in future.That was the only ton that any English batsman managed on this 5 test tour.He followed that ton with a handy 50 run knock.
On a personal front it is very good for him that he got a ton and a six fer in his debut test series.Many cricketers are talented but more importantly the talent is useful if it comes out on field at international level.Also, the earliest it comes out the better it is for the player and the team.
Now that he has ensured a spot in next test playing 11,he will be expected of such performances time and again.Being an allrounder, he might improve one skill and get lesser at other or improve in both his skill sets.Over the time he practices with the team in nets and his performances in future tests, the thinktank will be able to identify the role he can play during his career at international level.