On This Day in 2019: Ben Stokes wins Headingley Test - Watch Ashes Day 4 video highlights

Ben Stokes played one of the finest knocks in Test cricket history to help England win the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley, Leeds.

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Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: ECB)

Prolific allrounder Ben Stokes scored a phenomenal century to guide England (ENG) to a memorable win against arch-rivals Australia (AUS) on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, Leeds, on August 25, in 2019.

England lost the first Test in the Ashes by 251 runs and drew the second. They needed a win at Headingley to get back on level terms. Jofra Archer's six-for gave England a great start in the third Test as the visitors were bowled out for 179. However, the Three Lions' batters faltered big time as the Aussies rolled them over for 67.

In the second innings, Australia produced a better batting display and eventually got dismissed for 246. Stokes, who had bagged a solitary wicket in Australia's first innings, bagged a three-for in the second. The hosts had a challenging target of 359 to chase down in the fourth innings.

They didn't get off to a great start as they lost openers Rory Burns and Jason Roy for single-digit scores. Joe Root and Joe Denley joined forces with the score at 15/2. They combined well to forge a much-needed 126-run partnership of 319 balls to give England hopes of a spectacular turnaround. However, both players failed to convert their half-centuries into three-figure scores. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow played some fluent shots in their 86-run partnership off 130 balls.

However, Bairstow departed for 36, just when the partnership was starting to get on Australia's nerves. From 245/3, England slumped to 286/9 as Australia wreaked havoc. The onus was on Stokes to take England home alongside No. 11 batter Jack Leach. With another 73 runs to get, the visitors were the favourites to double their lead in the series. However, England's premier all-rounder wasn't going to go down without a fight.

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Watch Ben Stokes' Headingley Final Day Video Highlights

Ben Stokes took the attack to the Australian bowlers and guarded Leach as much as possible. The tourists had their chances as Nathan Lyon missed a straightforward opportunity to affect a run out. Also, Stokes was given not out off an LBW call by Joel Wilson and Australia didn't have any reviews left. Ball-tracking showed three reds as Stokes' brave knock was rewarded with some luck.

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In the end, the southpaw hit a gorgeous boundary through the covers off Pat Cummins to take his team to a thrilling one-wicket win. Eventually, Stokes finished unbeaten on 135 off 219 balls, hitting 11 fours and eight sixes. Leach played out 17 balls and scored a solitary run in the 76-run (62 balls) partnership he had with Stokes.

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