August 25th is a historic day in test cricket for multiple reasons. On this day in 2019, Ben Stokes produced a batting performance that will not only be written in Ashes history but will be remembered by every cricket fan. On the same day, Jasprit Bumrah away from home recorded a personal milestone and in the process helped India register their biggest away win in terms of runs. The following year in 2020 on the same Stokes’ teammate another fast bowler recorded a milestone. At the age of 38, James Anderson became the first seamer to take 600 test wickets. He was the fourth bowler to achieve this feat. Here is a look at the achievements that took place on August 25th.
Ben Stokes does the unthinkable
Stokes’ 135* helped England achieve a record that was held for more than 131 years. They went from 67 all out in the second innings to successfully chasing 359 in the fourth innings and in the process winning the battle of Headingley, Leeds by just one wicket. This was the first time in 131 years that a team won a test after making under 70 runs in the first innings.
Warner and Labuschagne: Lone warriors for Australia
David Warner for the very first time scored in double digits in Ashes 2019. In the two matches before the third test at Headingley, he had scores of 2, 8, 3 and 5. In the first innings, he not only scored in double digits but converted his start into a half-century. Warner scored 61 and was supported by Marnus Labuschagne who burst onto the scene by becoming the first concussion substitute for Steven Smith in the previous test. Labuschagne scored 74 runs in the first innings. Warner’s 61 and Labuschagne’s 74 along with 13 extras allowed Australia to reach the total of 179 runs. On a pace-friendly track, Jofra Archer made full use of the conditions as he went on to take 6 wickets in 17.1 overs.
England batters register 9 single-digit scores
Chasing just 179 of Australia, England’s batters let their bowlers down as the batters could not get going. The highest score came from the bat of England’s number 4, Joe Denly. Denly was the only English batter to score in double digits as he scored 12 runs. A poor batting performance from the home team meant that they could only score 67 runs and gave Australia a massive lead of 112 runs. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood took a fifer in his 12.5 overs while Pat Cummins and James Pattinson took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
Labushagne shines once again for Australia
Once again in the game, the responsibility of rescuing Australia fell on the shoulders of Labuschagne. Warner after an impressive half-century in the first innings was dismissed for a duck. Lbuschagne batting at number 4 scored 80 runs while the second-highest score was made by Matthew Wade. Wade scored 33 runs while Travis Head scored 25 and Usman Khawaja scored 23. Labuschagne’s half-century and small contributions from other batters allowed Australia to reach a total of 246 and gave England a target of 359. For England, Stokes took 3 wickets while Archer and Stuart Broad took 2 wickets each.
Ben Stokes becomes the ‘Hero of Headingley’
Two quick wickets of the English openers in the innings allowed Australia to place one hand on the Ashes urn. Skipper Joe Root and Joe Denly put up a 126-run stand for the third wicket. Both Root and Denly were then dismissed quickly in the space of just 18 runs. England once again needed a partnership as Jonny Bairstow and Stokes occupied the crease. They put up an 86-run stand for the fifth wicket as Bairstow was dismissed by Hazlewood. From 245 for the loss of five wickets England went to 286 for the loss of nine wickets. England needed 73 more runs to chase Australia’s total when number 11 batter Jack Leach walked into bat.
Leach stayed at the crease for an hour for one important run while Stokes launched a clever and planned attack, at one point reverse-slog-sweeping Nathan Lyon for six. Stokes’ innings was mostly risk-free, although there were a few anxious moments when England needed two runs to win. Because Australia had used up their last review in the previous over, Stokes was able to escape an appeal for lbw after Nathan Lyon missed a simple opportunity to run Leach out. Stokes clinched the historic victory for the home side with a four.
India recorded their biggest away win (in terms of runs)
On the same day when Ben Stokes won the hard-fought battle at Headingley, India completely decimated their opponents at Antigua, West Indies. West Indies did well to restrict India to just 297 in the first innings after half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and a 40+ score from KL Rahul.
In the second innings, West Indies almost ate into the deficit as they scored 222 runs. No batter from West Indies was able to score a half-century as veteran pacer Ishant Sharma claimed a five-wicket haul.
In the third innings, Virat Kohli scored a half-century but all the spotlight was taken by Rahane and Hanuma Vihari. Rahane after scoring 81 in the first innings went on to reach the triple figure in the third innings as he made 102 runs. Vihari on the other hand missed out on a well-deserved century as he was dismissed for 93 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah takes a 5-wicket haul
Jasprit Bumrah became the first bowler from Asia to take a 5-wicket haul in Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies. He achieved this record in just his 11th test. Bumrah took just 8 overs to complete his 5-wicket haul as Ishant and Mohammed Shami took three and two wickets respectively. West Indies were dismissed for just 100 runs which meant that India recorded their biggest away win in terms of runs as they dismissed the home team by 319 runs.
James Anderson ages like fine wine
Just a year later from Stokes’ Headingley heroics, James Anderson became the first fast bowler to take 600 test wickets. Recently retired Stuart Broad is only the second bowler to join Anderson on the list. Pakistan’s Azhar Ali was Anderson’s 600th victim in the longest format.
Also Read: Virat Kohli at no. 4 in ODI World Cup: What is his record?
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