“He Loves It Better When It Gets Hard” – News Block

Former England captain Michael Vaughan thinks they are very lucky to have Ben Stokes as Test captain. Vaughan opined that the all-rounder thrives on tough situations and that its toughness shines through.

Stokes was under immense pressure when he came out to bat on Day 4 of the second Test at Lord’s. At 45-4, chasing 371, England’s hopes were slim but the skipper kept them alive with a scintillating hundred on day 5. He reached the magic triple-figure mark with three straight sixes off Cameron Green.

In his column for The Telegraph, the 48-year-old claimed the off-roader’s ability to thrive in difficult situations is his “superpower”. He too felt that the task of winning three consecutive Ashes Tests would inspire the England captain.

“Stokes has a super power. He seems to thrive in adversity and pressure,” Vaughan said. “He loves it the most when it gets tough and when you think he’s got half a body that’s not working, it’s his toughness that shines. We’re so lucky to have him captain the England Test. Now he has the biggest challenge and that’s to inspire “. forces him to make an incredible comeback in the series from this impossible position. And we know he likes the impossible.”

Stokes’ innings on Day 5 at Lord’s finished at 155 when England were still 70 short of their target. He received a standing ovation as he left the field, but the home team eventually lost by 43 runs to go 0-2 down.

“Stokes’ tackles were just as incredible as what he did at Leeds” – Michael Vaughan

Vaughan also noted that Stokes is a proven key player, having proven himself on multiple occasions and has great self-confidence.

“I have never met an England cricketer who overcomes the impossible as often as Stokes,” he said. “We saw it in the 2019 World Cup Final at Lord’s, we saw it at the Headingley Ashes Test in 2019 and we saw it again in this Test. I know the result was different but Stokes’ innings were just as incredible as what he did at Leeds four years ago. The way he absorbs pressure, supports himself and has the skill and self-confidence to seize the moment, is truly remarkable. What a cricketer he is.”

If England strike back and win the series 3-2, it will be only the second time this has happened in Ashes history.