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England won the second Test in the ongoing series against New Zealand in a spectacular fashion. While chasing a target of 299, the batting duo of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes were at it. The two English batters made a mockery of the score by playing with a strike rate of more than 100.
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The right-hand batter was particularly in the mood. What followed was absolute carnage. He hit 136 runs off just 92 balls. The English captain later joined to take the home team across the finish line in an emphatic fashion.
One moment however that is getting increasingly noticed is Ben Stokes' winning shot. Interestingly, the winning shot from Headingley during the Ashes way back in 2019, and the winning shot from the second Test, were clearly similar to each other. In both shots, the left-hander is seen playing a square drive for four off a short ball. People were quick to notice and soon comparison videos started doing the rounds on social media.
Ben Stokes - That is it. pic.twitter.com/autjzFrYLd
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 14, 2022
The Headingley test would go down as an all-time great Test match due to Ben Stokes' match-winning knock of 135. Chasing a total of 358, the English team were reduced to 286-9, with Ben Stokes and Jack Leach at the crease. It looked like the game is gone from the visitors when the current England captain played the knock of his life. Supported by Leach, Stokes was able to take down the Australian challenge to snatch a win.
Yesterday's match against New Zealand was won in a similar fashion by the English captain. Speaking of the match, the Kiwis made 553 runs in the first innings on the back of Daryl Mitchell's 190 and Tom Blundell's 106. The Englishmen were equal to the task and made 539 in reply. In the second innings, the Kiwi was bowled out for 284 and England needed 298 runs to win the second Test, and ultimately the series. On the last ball of the 49th over, Ben Stokes hit Trent Boult for a thumping square drive.