Ben Stokes hailed a whirlwind five-wicket, series-clinching victory over New Zealand as his ‘greatest win’ so far as an England cricketer.
His 75 not out on a record-breaking final day chase of 299-5 had a big hand in the win, but it was Jonny Bairstow ’s 136 from 92 balls, the second fastest English ton of all time, that stole the show and battered the Kiwis into submission. And at the end of a full five days with his team conceding 553 and then still coming out on top, thanks to their positive mantra, the skipper was on cloud nine with what had been achieved.
“That blows away Headingley, it blows away Lord's and the World Cup final,” said Stokes. “Was it my greatest win? Yep.
