Ben Stokes Widens His Redemption Arc as he Proves His Career is Worth More than Stats Alone

An average in the 30s with the bat in ODIs and Tests, 20s in T20Is, and a bowling average going from 30 in Tests and T20Is to 40 in ODIs, makes Ben Stokes look like a very average player. A look at his stats will surely make one wonder what is so great about him. Ben Stokes though, has done enough to prove that a career is more than what the stats show. Walking out in crunch situations, Ben Stokes always manages to deliver, with bat or ball. Ben Stokes though, did not have it easy. A look into the first phase of his career vindicates his stats as an average player.

Playing as an all-rounder, Ben Stokes was rather fiery and fiesty on the field early in his career. Aggressive and ready to pick an argument with anyone, Stokes was definitely not the most likeable player to start with. He had the skill. A left-hand batter, who could find the fence with ease, and raw pace with the ball made him an asset. On his first Ashes tour in the disastrous 2013 series, Ben Stokes did stand out with his pace. He was and still is among England’s fastest bowlers, with the ability to touch 145 kilometers with ease. Injuries did little to reduce his effort. With a lot of courage in the field though, Ben Stokes went on to face some really low periods.

In 2016, with 19 to defend off the Final over, the game was in balance against West Indies in the T20 World Cup Finals. Carlos Brathwaite, however, took four balls, clearing the fence reducing Ben Stokes to tears. His bowling in the death and T20 career in general looked different after that. Ben Stokes though got a chance of redemption an year later when he won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2017 IPL.

Later in 2017 though, Ben Stokes hit his most career defining and career changing moment. Off-field events forced him to miss the 2017 Ashes in Australia. The moment though saw a changed Ben Stokes come out. From an aggressive character who was ready to pick a fight, Ben Stokes went on to become much calmer in personality.

Following the event, Stokes made a steady comeback, giving silent contributions with both bat and ball. He became an integral part of Eoin Morgan’s white-ball side again, and his contributions reached a maximum point in the World Cup. With the bat, he was always in the game, scoring a handful of fifties. However, with the top-order failing in their aggressive approach, Ben Stokes was left with too much to do, resulting in England heading into a must-win scenario for their last few league games.

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England managed to make it through, and reached the Finals, where Ben Stokes proved his worth in the biggest stage. Facing New Zealand at Lords, Ben Stokes was joined by Jos Buttler with his team 4 down chasing 242. After a solid partnership, the responsibility fell on Stokes with wickets falling. Stokes continued to keep his cool and took England to a draw. Worn out after a taxing knock, Ben Stokes walked out without hesitation minutes later for the Super Over.

He contributed with a crucial boundary and was the primary encouragement for Jofra Archer, who was tasked with bowling the super over. A couple months after performing on the biggest stage, Ben Stokes repeated his superhuman performances. Against Australia, at Headingly, England were down in the series, and the Ashes were on the line. With one wicket left, Ben Stokes carried Jake Leach and England to a target with over 70 needed. He absorbed it all from the Aussies, and stood out under pressure. His performance in those two games is likely to be a factor behind his appointment as Test Captain now.

Stokes continued to step up. He took up various roles for England, and even played as their second fast bowler in a Test match in India. Things though did not go as smooth for Stokes. An injury led to him taking a break for his mental health in 2021. He missed the T20 World Cup and was set to miss the Ashes, before he decided to come out and make himself available.

In Australia, he gave it his all. he bowled with a lot of heart. With Mark Wood not playing all the Tests, Ben Stokes stepped up with his pace and frequently gave short ball attacks. He continued to do the same in West Indies, bowling long spells. Following his performance that season. he took Test captaincy, and under him England Cricket transformed in the 2022 summer. His ability to handle pressure and take on challenges rubbed off on the others. Under him, chasing high scores became a norm through the home season, which is generally a very tough ask in Test Cricket.

Following his return in 2018, Stokes found success in ODI Cricket and Test Cricket. His superhuman efforts though were missing in the shortest format. In the T20 World Cup this year though, he got his chance. Before the World Cup, his spot was in doubt. He did not play T20s for the national side for over 18 years, but captain Jos Buttler ensured Stokes remained comfortable.

With the tournament on a knifes edge though, Stokes proved his worth. He provided England two match-winning knocks. Both those knocks did not have much run-rate pressure, but the bowling was really good, and wickets were tumbling at the other end. Against Sri Lanka, England were being spun out in a low chase, but he hung on and made a crucial 40 odd.

In the Finals against Pakistan, with a packed MCG and the Pakistan’s fast bowlers throwing everything they had, Ben Stokes was at it again. He looked ugly, took the game deep and looked far from fluent. Stokes though continued to wait for the right moment. The moment came when Shaheen Afridi hobbled off, allowing Ifthikar to finish the over. Stokes took a liking to Ifthikar, and all of a sudden the equation was a manageable 28 off 24. With the equation favoring England, Moeen Ali took a step ahead and all but sealed the game.

Ben Stokes though, once again stood up in the biggest of moments. He took the burden on his shoulders and proved to be a big match-winner for England yet again. The moment extended his redemption arc as he found success in T20 Cricket for England after his comeback.

Hitting the winning runs, Ben Stokes let out his trademark roar as he wrote another chapter in his extraordinary career. His knock once again came out to prove that a career is more than stats. Despite his stats, he has shown that he has the ability to handle pressure, and having two World Cups to his name is more than enough to show his value as England’s Superman.