National hero Ben Stokes played one of the greatest innings ever seen in 142 years of Test history that saw England attain a staggering one-wicket win in the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Sunday. Meanwhile, a shocking revelation by the flamboyant all-rounder may well have given the team dietician nightmares. Stokes revealed takeaway chicken and chocolate bars had fueled his remarkable ton (135*) that powered the hosts to an amazing victory as England leveled the five match series 1-1.

There was no hint of the fireworks to come, however, when Stokes reached Saturday's close on two not out off 50 balls.

Asked what he did overnight, the 28-year-old left-handed batsman replied: "My wife and kids came down and they got there at around 10 o'clock. My wife walked into me eating pasta in my boxer shorts!

"Last night, I think had a knock-off Nandos (fried chicken) and two (chocolate) bars of Yorkie biscuit and raisin. And a couple of coffees in the morning."

Reflecting on an innings that he reckoned was "certainly close" to surpassing his World Cup final display, Stokes said: "We knew if we lost this game then the Ashes were gone. When a No 11 comes out needing 70 (73 in fact) to win, I knew what I had to do in terms of the game situation," the England vice-captain added.

"The only time I started to get a little bit nervous or panicking was when we got into single figures." Stokes also paid tribute to a capacity, sun-drenched crowd, who even cheered England's defensive shots.

"Walking off there at the end when the whole of Headingley was standing up and celebrating was a very special moment and something I had to try to take in because moments like that don't come along very often."