Ben Stokes can play Test cricket as a specialist batsman – a well-known fact. He can as well get into the side as the third seamer – again, nothing new. But how many can vouch for him to perhaps contest for a gold medal in gymnastics for England in Tokyo Olympics in 2020? Not many for sure. It, however, won’t be a surprise if that number rose ever slightly in the past 15 hours or so. For Stokes gave a first-hand proof of his gymnastic skills by perfectly performing a handstand on Day 4 of the third and final Test match against West Indies at St Lucia.
Stokes’ acrobatic act impressed former England batsman Rob Key so much that he ended up terming the incident as the ‘moment of the series.’ And mind you, there were a lot of spectacular performances in the three-match series like Jason Holder’s record-breaking double ton, Kemar Roach’s match-winning eight-wicket wicket-haul or Mark Wood five-for on Test comeback. But Key placed Stokes’ handstand above everything.
The England all-rounder played a key role in his side’s consolation win in the third Test match scoring important runs in both innings. Stokes, in fact, top scored for England in the first innings with a patient 79, rescuing his side from a precarious 107 for 4. Stokes’ innings helped England post 277 in the first innings that set the platform for England’s 232-run win. In the second innings, when England needed quick runs to give their bowlers enough time to dismiss West Indies in the second innings, Stokes scored a quickfire 48.
West Indies, however, won the series 2-1.