England hint at Ben Stokes plan in Ashes that may work wonders as Australia toil

When Ben Stokes walked out to bat at No 3 to a huge cheer from an expectant Oval, an interesting vision of England’s future may have been inadvertently revealed. On the surface the promotion of the England captain was an emergency measure triggered by Moeen Ali’s groin injury, just as the latter’s elevation was also a patch-up job prompted by Ollie Pope’s shoulder issue.

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But he appeared so comfortable in the position that you forgot instantly that he was a stand-in. On a sunny day in south London, he looked as natural a part of the picture as The Oval gasometer, as England ended day three in a dominant position. They are currently 389-9, 377 runs ahead of their old foes. There is seemingly nothing Stokes cannot do on a cricket pitch. He is England’s master of all trades.

Aside from Joe Root, Stokes has the best technique of all the England batters. The bat comes down as straight as a guillotine’s blade and when he isn’t in Bazball mode, his judgement of what to play and what to leave around his off stump is reassuringly sound.

When the situation demands, few players in world cricket are able to press the accelerator as effectively. Batting first man down was never a possibility when Stokes was operating as an all-rounder but the dicky knee that has made bowling a no-go has eased his workload.

Six months away from Test cricket until England’s next adventure in India may allow the space for repair and renewal but if the problem proves to be a chronic one his remaining time in the side will have to be as a specialist batter.

Judging by today, No 3 could be a viable option. Elevating Stokes would mean he would not be around to marshal the England lower order – a job he has done superbly – but going forwards perhaps the side could extract even more out of him higher up.

‌The timing of his arrival at the crease after a healthy opening stand was advantageous – although it was still only the 18th over – but he hardly put a foot out of his place.

His third-wicket stand of 73 with Root was an essential building block to England’s weighty second innings total and compiled against the best bowling of a spotty Australian day with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood coming at England hard after lunch.

Stokes enjoyed some good fortune when he hooked Hazelwood down to long leg only for Mitchell Starc to overbalance over the boundary rope as he took the catch but for the most part his contribution was a judicious balance between attack and defence.

He appeared in total control so it came as a huge surprise when he holed out to Cummins off spinner Todd Murphy for 42 after a 67-ball stay, not least to Stokes who dropped his bat in disgust and looked on incredulously.

‌Having picked it up for the long walk off he eyed his willow accusingly for having the temerity to have failed him. Still overall, while he would have wanted to contribute more with the ball, it has been a fine Ashes for Stokes with the bat. He has topped 400 runs for the series.

His century at Lord’s, in belligerent defiance of the underhand chicanery that had taken Australia to the brink of victory, was the most incredible innings – a controlled explosion fuelled by England’s fury. Here’s hoping that despite his creaking knee there are many more memories yet to be made by Stokes. Maybe as a No 3.