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England captain Ben Stokes added another remarkable achievement to his Test career by becoming only the second player in history to score more than 7,000 runs and take at least 250 wickets in the format. The only other cricketer to reach this rare milestone is South African great Jacques Kallis.
Stokes reached the landmark during the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. He picked up four wickets for 70 runs in New Zealand’s first innings, taking his overall Test wicket tally to 250.
The 34-year-old has now played 122 Test matches, claiming 250 wickets at an average of 31.03. His bowling record includes six five-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 6 for 22. With the bat, Stokes has scored 7,243 runs at an average of 34.49, including 14 centuries and 37 half-centuries. His highest Test score is 258.
Stokes also moved past former England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard to become England’s ninth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
Jacques Kallis remains one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. In 166 Tests, he scored 13,289 runs at an outstanding average of 55.37, hitting 45 centuries and 58 fifties. He also took 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, with his best bowling figures of 6 for 54.
In the match, with the three-Test series level at 1-1, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway put England under pressure with a superb 317-run opening partnership. Latham scored 151, while Conway made 157, helping New Zealand post 438 all out.
Stokes was England’s best bowler with figures of 4 for 70. Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir chipped in with two wickets each.
By lunch on the third day, England had reached 314 for 6 in reply. Harry Brook was unbeaten on 51, while Gus Atkinson was at the other end on 8. Earlier, Ben Duckett gave England a flying start with a brilliant 113 off just 99 balls, and Jacob Bethell contributed a solid 74 to keep the hosts in a strong position.