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England skipper Ben Stokes put on a commanding display of all-round brilliance during the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. The 34-year-old all-rounder, often hailed for his grit and match-winning capabilities, delivered a vintage performance on Saturday (July 26), etching his name in cricketing folklore by notching up a sensational double: a five-wicket haul and a century in the same Test.
Bowling with relentless energy, Stokes returned with figures of 5/72 from 24 overs in the first innings. But he wasn’t done yet. Walking in at No. 6, the left-hander showcased tremendous composure and flair with the bat, smashing 141 runs off 198 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and 3 sixes. It was a knock that not only resurrected England’s innings but also reminded the world of Stokes’ ability to turn the tide single-handedly.
Ben Stokes enters elite list with brilliant achievement
Stokes’ heroics saw him become the first-ever England captain—and only the fifth overall in Test history—to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same match. It’s a milestone that speaks volumes of his versatility and impact on the game.
Over the course of 148 years and 1088 Test matches, England have seen 82 different Test captains, but none had achieved this rare feat until now. Stokes joins the ranks of legendary names who have managed to dominate both with bat and ball in the same Test as skipper—a true testament to his leadership and all-round prowess.
5 captains who have scored a century and taken a five-wicket haul in a Test match
Denis Atkinson (West Indies) vs Australia, Bridgetown – 1955
The trailblazer of this elite club, Atkinson led from the front with a mammoth 219-run innings while batting at No. 7. He followed it up with a tidy spell of 5/56 in the second innings. His all-round effort helped West Indies secure a historic draw against the Aussies in Bridgetown.
Garry Sobers (West Indies) vs England, Leeds – 1966
Arguably one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, Sobers made his mark in Leeds with a majestic 174 off 260 balls. He then rattled the English batting with figures of 5/41 in the first innings, and picked three more in the second, guiding West Indies to a comprehensive innings win.
Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) vs West Indies, Port of Spain – 1977
Mushtaq’s brilliance with both bat and ball was on full display in the 1977 Test at Port of Spain. After scoring a gritty 121 in the first innings and grabbing 5/28, he added a valuable 56 and 3 more wickets in the second innings, steering Pakistan to a 266-run triumph.
Imran Khan (Pakistan) vs India, Faisalabad – 1983
Imran’s domination against arch-rivals India in Faisalabad was nothing short of legendary. He scored a rapid 117 from 121 deliveries in the first innings after claiming 6/98 with the ball. He wrapped up the match with another fifer in the second innings to script a 10-wicket win for Pakistan.
Ben Stokes (England) vs India, Manchester – 2025
The most recent entrant to this esteemed list, Stokes’ masterclass in Manchester saw him claim 5 wickets with the ball before producing a match-defining century. His all-round display has once again highlighted why he is considered one of the modern greats of the game.
