An Ode to Ben Stokes: Modern Cricket’s Rare Jewel

The first day of the second Test between South Africa and England at Cape Town in January 2016 was a tense battle of attrition. South Africa, eager to shake off the ghosts of a disastrous 2015, leaned on the prodigious talent of young Kagiso Rabada to subdue England’s burgeoning middle order. With Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes forging a partnership, the Proteas found themselves at a crossroads late in the day.

Hashim Amla, South Africa’s captain, opted for the new ball in the 80th over—a decision ripe for scrutiny. On a weary track that begged for the subtle artistry of reverse swing, the seasoned Morne Morkel could have been the trump card with the old ball. Instead, Amla handed the new cherry to debutant Chris Morris, a move that played directly into England's hands. Ben Stokes, a batsman of rare ferocity, seized the moment with an on-drive of breathtaking authority. That single stroke was a prelude to the carnage that would follow. 

By stumps, Stokes stood unbeaten on 74, and England had surged to 317/5, with 46 runs flowing in the final seven overs. The Bairstow-Stokes partnership had grown to 94, setting the stage for a second day that would go down in cricketing folklore. 

The Second Day: A Cricketing Masterpiece 

January 3, 2016, saw Ben Stokes transform into a colossus. With Table Mountain as the silent sentinel, Stokes authored an innings that bordered on mythical. In just 198 balls, he smashed 258 runs, a symphony of 30 boundaries and 11 colossal sixes. South Africa’s attack, boasting Rabada, Morkel, and Dane Piedt, was rendered powerless. 

Stokes broke records with a nonchalance that mirrored the greats of yesteryear. He notched England’s fastest double-century, scored the most runs in a single morning session of a Test, and registered the highest-ever score for a No. 6 batsman. It was a day when cricket transcended sport and became art, etched forever in the annals of Cape Town’s storied history. 

The Allrounder’s Renaissance 

The innings was more than just a statistical marvel; it was a reaffirmation of the allrounder’s relevance in modern cricket. Ben Stokes embodies the spirit of an era when the likes of Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev defined the game. These men, warriors on both fronts, transcended statistics with their ability to shape matches single-handedly. 

Stokes channels the fearlessness of Botham and the strategic nous of Imran. He thrives on adversity, attacking challenges head-on with bat and ball. Phil Simmons once aptly described him as “the glue that holds the England team together.” His relentless energy allows James Anderson and Stuart Broad to operate at their peak, while his presence with the bat ensures England never lacks counterpunches. 

A Tale of Grit and Growth 

Stokes' journey has been one of growth, not just in skill but in resilience. Early glimpses of his talent came during England’s troubled 2013-14 Ashes tour, where he struck a defiant century against Mitchell Johnson and claimed a six-wicket haul at the SCG. Over time, he has matured into a complete cricketer. 

In 2015, Stokes’ bowling underwhelmed in the UAE against Pakistan, but he found a perfect balance in South Africa. Across four Tests, he amassed 411 runs and 12 wickets, rekindling memories of an allrounder’s golden age. While not as skilful as Anderson or Broad, his bowling remains potent through sheer willpower, pace, and endurance, making him a vital cog in England’s machinery. 

The Legacy of Stokes 

Cricket in the 1980s was defined by charismatic rivalries, and Test cricket thrived on the presence of multi-dimensional players. The vacuum left by Imran, Botham, Kapil, and Hadlee seemed insurmountable for decades. Yet Ben Stokes has emerged as the torchbearer of this lost art. 

As the sport evolves, Test cricket needs players like Stokes—individuals who can dazzle with brilliance and galvanize their teams with grit. He is a reminder of why cricket, at its heart, is a game of character, drama, and indomitable spirit. In Stokes, the cricketing world has found not just a player but a phenomenon, a gladiator whose exploits inspire awe and reverence. 

Cape Town was his stage, but the world is his arena.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

South Africa’s Decline: A Tale of Leadership, Confidence, and Transition

The third Test between South Africa and England at Johannesburg promised to be a cricketing spectacle. The New Wanderers Stadium lived up to its reputation, offering a pitch that tantalizingly balanced bat and ball. In an era where flat, high-scoring tracks dominate the narrative, the Wanderers’ wicket reminded purists that the essence of Test cricket lies in equilibrium. 

The opening exchanges were a symphony of high-quality cricket. Steven Finn’s probing lines on day one unsettled the South African top order, only for the hosts' tailenders to mount a spirited fightback the next morning. Then came Hardus Viljoen’s fiery burst, a debutant charging in with pace and venom. Joe Root’s technical mastery and Ben Stokes’ counterattacking half-century kept England afloat, setting the stage for a contest that brimmed with promise. 

Yet, as is often the case in cricket, the script veered unexpectedly. On the third day, Stuart Broad turned the Test into a one-man show, reducing what could have been a classic to a procession. 

The Broad Blitzkrieg 

Stuart Broad’s spell was a force of nature. Under a canopy of overcast skies, he morphed into a predator, his fiery pace and accuracy leaving the South African batsmen floundering. With every ball, he sharpened his attack, exposing South Africa’s brittle underbelly. 

Broad’s six-wicket haul was a masterclass in seam and swing, but it also laid bare the frailty of South Africa’s once-formidable batting lineup. To watch players of the calibre of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers succumb meekly on their home turf was as shocking as it was disheartening. 

What made the capitulation more poignant was the memory of what South Africa once represented—a team synonymous with resilience, world-class batting, and disciplined aggression. This was not that team. 

A Mediocre South Africa 

South Africa’s descent into mediocrity has been neither abrupt nor unexplainable. Their struggles began on the dust bowls of India, where rank turners exposed technical flaws and shattered confidence. The scars of that series have yet to heal, with self-doubt creeping into a batting lineup that once prided itself on its fortitude. 

Injuries to Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander further decimated their resources. Without Steyn’s inspiring spells or Philander’s precision, the attack lacked teeth. Kagiso Rabada and Hardus Viljoen, though promising, are still learning the nuances of Test cricket. Morne Morkel, while steady, has rarely delivered the talismanic moments his team so desperately needs. 

What’s more, the team seems to have lost its identity. The electric fielding, the calculated aggression, and the unyielding partnerships—all hallmarks of South African cricket—are conspicuously absent. The result is a team that looks lost, unsure of its path forward. 

The Leadership Conundrum 

At the heart of South Africa’s struggles lies a leadership vacuum. Hashim Amla, for all his brilliance with the bat, seemed ill-suited to the captaincy. His decision to take the new ball late in the day during the Cape Town Test was a tactical blunder, allowing England to wrest control. 

When AB de Villiers took over, fans hoped his aggressive mindset would rejuvenate the side. However, his captaincy in Johannesburg betrayed a similar lack of imagination. Setting defensive fields for Ben Stokes early in his innings only emboldened the allrounder, and rotating bowlers too quickly disrupted momentum. De Villiers' reluctance to persist with Rabada and Viljoen on the third morning allowed England to take the lead. 

Leadership in cricket is not merely about tactics; it is about instilling belief and forging identity. South Africa, under both Amla and De Villiers, has faltered in this regard, leaving younger players without a guiding light. 

Signs of Transition 

It is tempting to dismiss this South African team as a pale shadow of its former self, but that would be unfair. Every great team undergoes a period of transition, and South Africa is no exception. The retirements of Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, and Mark Boucher created a vacuum that has proven difficult to fill. 

Yet, amidst the gloom, there are glimmers of hope. Kagiso Rabada has shown the makings of a generational fast bowler. Temba Bavuma, despite his small stature, has displayed big heart. Players like Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar possess the talent to anchor South Africa’s future. 

What South Africa desperately needs is time—and a leader. De Villiers’ decision to commit to Test cricket is a positive step, but it must be backed by proactive leadership and a willingness to rebuild. 

The Road Ahead 

South Africa’s slide is undeniable, but it is not irreversible. They have the resources, the talent, and the history to rise again. What they need is a recalibration of mindset, a return to the basics that made them formidable. 

Above all, they must rediscover their identity—a team that fights, that competes, that commands respect. It will take patience, resilience, and, above all, leadership. The path will not be easy, but if there is one thing South African cricket has shown over the decades, it is an unyielding ability to rise from the ashes. 

This chapter may be bleak, but it is far from the end of their story.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar