Ben Stokes Creates History With 11,000 International Runs And Rare 7,000 Runs-200 Wickets Test Feat

England captain Ben Stokes achieved a series of historic milestones during the ongoing fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, underlining his stature as one of the finest modern-day all-rounders. Stokes not only completed 11,000 international runs across formats but also became the third all-rounder in Test history to score 7,000 runs and take 200 wickets, joining the elite company of Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis.

Stokes reached his 7,000-run landmark in Tests with a towering six on Day 4. He now has 7,032 Test runs in 115 matches at an average of 35.69, including 14 centuries and 35 fifties, with a career-best score of 258. The feat comes less than a year after he took his 200th Test wicket against the West Indies at Lord’s.

The England skipper also crossed the 11,000-run mark in international cricket during his unbeaten 77 on Day 3 of the Test. His overall tally now stands at 11,016 runs in 272 matches across formats, averaging 35.88 with 18 hundreds and 61 half-centuries.

Stokes’ knock against India was as gritty as it was significant. Battling cramps in the final session of Day 3, he temporarily left the field but returned to steady England’s innings alongside Liam Dawson. The partnership helped England recover from quick strikes by Indian bowlers and finish Day 3 strongly at 544/7, leading by 186 runs.

Earlier, England’s top order laid the foundation for their dominance. Openers Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) gave the team a flying start before Joe Root compiled a brilliant 150, moving past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history with 13,409 runs, behind only Sachin Tendulkar’s 15,921.

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Stokes also made a significant impact with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul (5/72) in India’s first innings and restricting them to 358. Contributions from Sai Sudharsan (61), Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), and Rishabh Pant (54) highlighted India’s effort, but England’s batting display, led by Root and Stokes, tilted the match in the hosts’ favor.

With England leading the five-match series 2-1 after wins at Leeds and Lord’s, this Test could potentially seal the series for the home side, while India’s sole victory came at Edgbaston.