Ben Stokes Historic Test Captain Record
England captain Ben Stokes etched his name in history during the fourth Test at Old Trafford on July 27, 2025, by scoring 141 runs and claiming 5 wickets in the first innings. He became the first England skipper ever to achieve a century and a five‑wicket haul in the same Test, a milestone Freddie Flintoff never reached.
That feat also made him just the fifth Test captain in cricket history to pull off this rare double—joining Imran Khan (1983), Mushtaq Mohammad (1977), Garry Sobers (1966), and Denis Atkinson (1955)
Match at a Glance
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With his 141 off 198 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, Stokes ended a two-year century drought and surpassed 7,000 career Test runs
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His bowling figures of 5/72 from 24 overs broke key Indian partnerships and disrupted their momentum, helping cement England’s first-innings lead of 311 runs
England piled up 669—their fifth-highest Test total on home soil—underlining the dominance of his all-round display.
Enduring Impact
Despite battling soreness and fitness issues, Stokes bowled on Day 5 and snagged crucial wickets, including dismissing KL Rahul to end a record partnership between Rahul and Shubman Gill. He earned Player of the Match honors, even though India battled back through Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (100*) to save the Test and force a draw.
Leadership Through Legacy
This match underlines Stokes’ value not just as a player, but as a captain capable of singlehandedly turning a Test. He surpassed legends like Ian Botham, Tony Greig, and Gus Atkinson—the only other England players to record this all‑round double in Test history.
His performance reinforced his leadership credentials and set a new benchmark for England cricket. And with his presence pivotal despite a demanding workload (140 overs in the series so far), Stokes boldly committed to playing the upcoming final Test at The Oval despite physical discomfort.
In summary, Ben Stokes’ all‑round masterclass at Old Trafford was a career-defining moment. As captain, he created a legacy by achieving a century and five‑wicket haul in the same match—an elite club milestone and first for England’s Test skippers.