Manchester: Despite winning the 'Player of the Match' award for his outstanding allround performance in the third Test at Lord's, England captain Ben Stokes will be looking to make a significant score and recover his form as the fourth Test against India approaches.
With England traveling to Manchester's Old Trafford Stadium with a 21 lead, the hosts will be hoping that 'Big Match Stokes', who has been outstanding with the ball, brings his A-game with the bat as well.
In three games of the current home series, Stokes has amassed 163 runs in six innings at an average of 27.16, with a top score of 44. While a big score has eluded him, he is England's top wicket-taker, having taken 11 wickets at an average of 29.45 and a best bowling performance of 4/66.
In 30 innings throughout the previous 17 Tests, Stokes has amassed 774 runs at a pitiful average of 27.64, with just five fifties and a top score of 83.
Ben is definitely a man of big moments, having scored 84 against New Zealand in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, a half-century in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, and a lonewarrior effort of 135 at Headingley in 2019. Stokes has a track record of winning crucial games for his team and leading them to victory.
With the series' future to be determined at Old Trafford, this is another opportunity for a Stokes' special. He has a fantastic record at the site, scoring 579 runs in eight Tests and 12 innings at an average of 52.63, including two hundreds and three fifties. His highest score is 176. With the ball, he has 11 wickets at an average of 27.54, with best stats of 27.54.
He is currently 61 runs shy of attaining the 11,000 international run mark, which only ten other Englishmen have accomplished. In 271 international appearances, he has amassed 10,939 runs at an average of 35.63, including 18 century and 60 fifty-point performances, with a top score of 258.
Will England see their miracle guy score a significant goal at Old Trafford, breaking his goal drought?
