Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: 2016 vs 2022: Brilliant Ben Stokes completes redemption | Ben Stokes heartbreak in 2016 vs glory in 2022
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The heartbreak of 2016 at the hands of Carlos Brathwaite did not see the man go into his shell. Instead, he came out of it more determined to be the big-game player.
Six years on from that fateful night in Kolkata, Ben Stokes has delivered some of the most memorable performances for England across formats. MCG 2022 now has its place near Lord’s and Headingley of 2019, with Stokes reiterating his status as England’s go-to under pressure.
His place in England’s stacked T20I side has often been questioned, with the all-rounder yet to have nailed the format before this World Cup. He was averaging just 18.19 in 41 T20Is before England’s must-win Super 12 game against Sri Lanka last week. However, those around him knew his potential.
“We all know what he’s capable of, and not just match-winning innings, but match-winning innings under serious amounts of pressure. I know well that if it comes down to the crunch that you want a man like Ben Stokes walking out,” said assistant coach Paul Collingwood.
How right he was.
In fact, England would not have even qualified for the 2022 World Cup semi-finals without Stokes. A week ago, he struck a vital 42* against Sri Lanka to see his side home in another tricky chase, providing the comfort to England fans and players that if he’s there at the end, England will win.
Similar happened in the big final, with Stokes standing tall and overcoming Pakistan’s fighting spirit to finish with 52*.
2016 vs 2022: Ben Stokes’ achievements are amazing – Buttler
“It’s been an amazing journey, all his big moments,” said captain Jos Buttler. “He’s never let that 2016 final push him back and the things he’s gone on to achieve since then are just amazing.”
“He’s a man who can take a lot of pressure on his shoulders and perform and absolutely with him in the middle you know you’ve got a good chance. Just so proud of him, pleased for him that he’s stood up and done it again.”
Now, Stokes will shift his focus to winning a Test series as captain in Pakistan in December, having retired from one-day internationals earlier this year. Given England’s ODI series against Australia begins in just a few days, that decision certainly looks vindicated in an unforgiving schedule.
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