England all-rounder Ben Stokes led his team to a fantastic 74-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match series in Rawalpindi recently. Ben Stokes is England’s Test captain.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England posted a staggering 657 in their first innings, their first Test in Pakistan since 2005. Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Zak Crawley all slammed centuries.
On what resembled a totally tranquil surface, Pakistan answered with 579 as Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam struck hundreds. It looked like the game would end in a stalemate.
However, Pakistan had an appealing target of 343 when Stokes boldly declared at 264/7 in the second innings. On the final day, the hosts fell apart and were run out for 268.
After that, Stokes referred to the victory as “one of England’s greatest away wins.” Since Stokes replaced Joe Root as captain of the Test team, the Englishmen have changed.
We predict that the all-rounder will break three records as England’s Test captain as his leadership skills improve.
#1 Most victories as captain of England’s Test team
Stokes’ predecessor Root currently holds the record for most victories as captain of England. He was the team’s leader in 64 matches, winning 27 and losing 26. Eleven of the Test matches were tied.
So far, Stokes has led England in nine Tests, winning seven and losing two. Three of those victories have come against New Zealand, two have come against South Africa, and one has come against India.
England’s first overseas Test victory under their new captain came in Rawalpindi.
Before Stokes can even come close to matching Root’s record for the most Test victories by an England captain, there is a long way to go. However, he has had a spectacular start to his tenure, and if he continues to lead the team for the next four to five years, there is every chance that Stokes will break the record.
#2 Most wickets as England’s Test captain
Like the majority of nations, England prefers batting captains regardless of the format. However, bowlers have recently also received preference. Australia’s Test record is dominated by Pat Cummins, and Jasprit Bumrah skippered the rescheduled Test in Birmingham in place of Rohit Sharma.
Although he is, of course, an all-rounder, Stokes excels as a pace bowler in Test matches. When we look at the history of England’s Test cricket, Bob Willis and Ray Illingworth stand out as two players who led the team in Test matches and made significant contributions with the ball.
Willis led England in 18 Tests and took 77 wickets, an impressive average of 21.59, including three five-wicket hauls. As England captain, Illingworth was an offspinner and all-rounder who took 51 wickets in 31 Tests at an average of 35.96 and had one five-for.
Stokes stands a good chance of surpassing both England legends and becoming the captain of the nation with the most Test wickets. He has taken 25 wickets in nine matches, with a best of 4/33 and an average of 26.16.
#3 Most matches as England’s Test captain
This is a record that might be a little harder for Stokes to beat, but it’s not impossible. Root holds the record for the most times he has captained England in the longer format of the game, with 64 Tests. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the leader of the group.
The next name on the list is Sir Alastair Cook. From 2010 to 2016, he captained England in 59 Test matches, while Michael Vaughan and Michael Atherton led the team in 54 and 51 matches, respectively.
To date, Stokes has only served as England’s captain in nine Test matches. Nevertheless, he is still only 31 years old, and if he continues to lead the team for another five years, he ought to get close to Root’s record.
England plays more Test matches than any other nation. Another reason Stokes can surpass Root and rise to the top of the charts is because of this.