Ben Stokes joins elite list after his 100th Test appearance vs India in Rajkot

England skipper Ben Stokes achieved a special feat on Thursday. The 32-year-old is playing his 100th Test match for his national side. The third Test vs India marked this special feature for one of England’s most celebrated players. 

Only 13 players have played as many Test matches for England despite their long history in the format. James Anderson has already played over 185 matches while Joe Root has played 138. 

Former skipper Alastair Cook has appeared in 161 matches while Stuart Broad has appeared in 167. Despite starting out as a white ball player the English skipper has become a vital cog in the wheel of England. The latest Baz-Ball techniques have made England one of the most compelling sides in Test cricket. 

Ben Stokes in elite company after his 100th Test appearance – 

It is a huge day for England Cricket and Ben Stokes after he took the field on Thursday in Rajkot vs India. This is his 100th Test match for the Three Lions in what is already a legendary career. 

Ben Stokes made his Test debut for England in 2013 during the infamous tour of Australia. The all-rounder took the longest format like a duck to water and soon became a huge part of the side. With the bat, Stokes has scored 6251 runs with an average of 36 along with 13 Test tons. 

His best of 258 came versus South Africa and it is still the fastest 250 in the history of Test cricket. Injuries have reduced his bowling load but Ben Stokes has 197 wickets in the red-ball format. The right-arm pacer could also crank up good speeds during the height of his prowess with the ball. 

Ollie Pope while speaking to the media was in awe of Ben Stokes. The youngster said “He has probably changed the game in a lot of respects. He has just got a way of bringing out the very best when the team needs it. Even in the Ashes at Lord’s, I kept thinking about ‘ How does he take it to a new level when the pressure is on him”

Here are the other England players to appear in 100 or more Test matches. 

 *- Denotes – Still playing