Former England captain Michael Vaughan has heaped praises on all-rounder Ben Stokes after the latter played a marathon knock of 176 runs against the West Indies at the Old Trafford Stadum in the ongoing second Test of the three-match Test series.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Vaughan wrote, “England’s best player England’s best fielder England’s most impactful bowler England’s best batsman at the moment delivers once again @benstokes38 is a freak … nothing he cannot do #TestCricket #ENGvWI.”
England’s best player … England’s best fielder … England’s most impactful bowler … England’s best batsman at the moment delivers once again … @benstokes38 is a freak … nothing he cannot do … #TestCricket #ENGvWI
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 17, 2020
Stokes was the highest scorer for England with his 356-ball innings. He also shared an epic stand of 260 runs with Sibley who scored 120 off 372 deliveries.
The 29-year-old all-rounder had joined the 24-year-old opener on Day 1 when England found themselves in uncharted territory after a loss of three wickets with just 81 runs on the board.
The two dug deep in the third session and defied the wrath of the Windies attack that had won the first Test for the visitors at the Rose Bowl last week. Sibley with 253 balls and Stokes with 159, the duo played more than 400 deliveries between themselves.
Resuming the second day’s play at 207/3, Stokes and Sibley batted the entire first session without losing their determination. In the meantime, the 24-year-old scored his maiden Test century, while the all-rounder, at the other end, continued with his natural style of play and completed his tenth Test century.