- By Ankit Bisht
- Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JE Sports Desk: England captain Ben Stokes has surpassed former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with a thrilling three-wicket win over Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Sunday. England made a comeback in the series after losing at Birmingham and Lord's.
Harry Brook played a knock of 75 and stitched a 59-run crucial partnership with Chris Woakes (32*) to take his side over the line chasing 251. The five-match contest is still very much alive after England's first win in the series.
With Leed's win, Stokes has leapfrogged Dhoni in an elusive Test captaincy record. England all-rounder now becomes the leading captain with the most Test wins while chasing 250-plus targets. Previously, Dhoni had the record to his name with four wins chasing 250 and more in Tests. Former greats Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting are present on the list with three Test wins.
Most wins as a captain with 250-plus run-chases in Tests:
Ben Stokes - 5
MS Dhoni - 4
Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting - 3
After the conclusion of the match on Sunday, Stokes lauded Chris Woakes and Mark Wood gave brilliant performances in their comeback match.
"Another down-to-the-wire game. Nice to get over the line and keep our hopes alive. Won the toss, we could have batted and bowled. Looked a good wicket. Saw the way Mitch Marsh batted. Came in and took the game on. The outfield was on the quick side. We had Woody and Woakesy back in and they did well," Stokes said in the post-match presentation.
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England made three changes in their playing 11 for the third Test as they roped in Mooen Ali, Woakes and Wood in place of Josh Tongue, James Anderson and Ollie Pope.
Stokes went on to call Woakes 'Mr. Consistent' after he scalped six wickets and played a vital unbeaten knock of 32* in the second innings.
"We picked teams and look how they can impact us in the game. We try to see how they can be influential in the game. I didn't realise that Woakes hasn't played a Test for so long, he is Mr. Consistent. Having someone who can bat like him batting at 8 helps us. Hope he can do something similar when he plays next," he added.
The third Test will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 19.