England captain Ben Stokes has etched his name into the record books by becoming only the second cricketer in Test history to achieve the double of 7,000 runs and 250 wickets. He joins South Africa legend Jacques Kallis in this elite all-rounder list.
Milestone Achieved Against New Zealand
Stokes reached the landmark during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Saturday. He snapped a four-wicket haul, conceding 70 runs in the first innings of the Black Caps. The 4-70 performance took his career wicket tally to exactly 250.
In 122 Test matches, Stokes now has 250 wickets at an average of 31.03, with six five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/22. With the bat, he has amassed 7,243 runs at an average of 34.49, including 14 centuries and 37 fifties across 219 innings, with a highest score of 258.
Climbing England's Wicket-Takers List
The all-rounder has also surpassed Matthew Hoggard (248 wickets) to become the ninth-highest wicket-taker for England in Test cricket. Kallis, the Proteas great, finished his career with 13,289 runs in 166 Tests at an average of 55.37, with 45 centuries and 58 fifties, along with 292 wickets at an average of 32.65.
Match Context
With the series level at 1-1, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Tom Latham (151 off 214 balls, 15 fours) and Devon Conway (157 off 224 balls, 22 fours, three sixes) shared a 317-run stand, propelling New Zealand to 438 all out. For England, Jofra Archer took 2-75 and Shoaib Bashir 2-105.
At lunch on day three, England were 314-6, with Harry Brook on 51 and Gus Atkinson on 8. Ben Duckett scored a rapid 113 off 99 balls (19 fours), and Jacob Bethell contributed 74 off 133 balls (nine fours).
