Ben Stokes breaks MS Dhoni’s record for Most wins as a captain in Tests with 250-plus run-chases at Headingley
Ben Stokes and England are now the most successful team and captain in tests record thanks to their fifth successful run-chase of 250 or more.
England has now won 12 Test matches under Stokes’ leadership, and the Headingley Heist propelled him to the top of an elite list. Stokes has now eclipsed MS Dhoni, the captain of the Chennai Super Kings, as the most successful captain in terms of run chases of 250+.
Prior to the game, Dhoni had led India to four victories in which the team successfully chased down totals of more than 250. At Edgbaston, England overcame India by chasing a mammoth total of 378 runs, following run-chases of 277, 299, and 296 against New Zealand the previous year.
Most wins as a captain in Tests with 250-plus run-chases
5* – Ben Stokes
4 – MS Dhoni
3 – Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting
Chris Woakes, Mark Wood keep England’s Ashes hopes alive
Due to a three-wicket victory at Headingley, England has finally arrived in the ongoing Ashes series and is still alive in the five-match Test series against Australia. England was in a must-win situation after dropping the first two Tests, and the hosts delivered thanks in large part to the two newcomers to the team, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who demonstrated their ability to bat and bowl.
Wood’s five-wicket haul made sure that Australia didn’t run away with the match despite Mitchell Marsh smashing a century at the rate of one run per delivery, capturing six wickets for 23 runs in the first innings.
Following another top-order collapse, England’s deficit was cut to only 26 runs thanks to captain Ben Stokes’ 80-run outstanding innings. England required 251 runs to win the first game of the series, but Woakes and Wood once again dominated with the ball as they knocked out Australia for 224.
England was chasing in their comfort zone, but the Lord’s mishap’s demons would have been present. Despite the openers getting off to a strong start, Mitchell Starc made sure England kept losing wickets until Harry Brook performed a game-changing 75-run innings.
Woakes and Wood, who appropriately were there to lead their team home, finished the job after Brook’s knock put England ahead of the game. England will have to win both of the remaining Tests to win the urn as even a draw will lead to Australia retaining it.
