Top 10 innings of Ben Stokes' career in international cricket

Ben Stokes rocked the field with his match-winning knocks on several occasions across formats.

Few cricketers have defined an era with their fighting spirit quite like Ben Stokes. Whether it is batting, bowling, or captaincy, Stokes rocked the field with every role he performed during his career. If we search for the best seam all-rounder ever to play international cricket, Stokes will definitely be at the top of the leaderboard.

Ben Stokes is a player who thrives under pressure and has built a reputation for producing unforgettable performances when his team needs him the most.

Whether it’s rescuing England from defeats, leading impossible run chases, or delivering match-winning spells, he has consistently risen to the biggest occasions and grabbed the limelight of the entire cricket fraternity.

Even Virat Kohli, India’s legendary batter, has termed Ben Stokes as his favourite player. On June 28, 2026, the England stalwart announced his retirement from international cricket. In this listicle, let’s take a look at the top 10 innings of Ben Stokes’ career across formats.

10 times when Ben Stokes grabbed the spotlight with his batting

10. 182 vs New Zealand (The Oval, Sept 2023)

In September 2023, Ben Stokes smacked his highest- ever knock against New Zealand in ODIs. In the 3rd ODI of the four-match series at Kennington Oval in London, Stokes scored 182 runs off 124 balls in the first innings, with nine sixes and 15 boundaries.

With his marvellous ton, he led England to victory by a big margin of 181 runs. Notably, this is also Stokes’ highest-ever score in ODI cricket.

9. 5/61 vs Australia (Southampton, Sep 2013)

In the 5th and final ODI against Australia in September 2013, Ben Stokes showcased his brilliance with the ball and bagged his best-ever bowling figures. He clinched five wickets for 61 runs in the clash, which took place at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Although England lost the game by 49 runs, it was Stokes’ finest bowling show in ODI that came in the initial years of his career and revealed his might with the ball.

8. 60 & 6/22 vs West Indies (The Lord’s, Sep 2017)

England and West Indies clashed in a three-match test series in 2017. Both teams won one game each at the start, and the third game was a series-decider. Ben Stokes’ heroics helped them make a classic comeback and secure a victory.

In the 3rd Test, the left-handed batsman scored 60 runs and clinched a six-wicket haul in the first innings, bagging big breakthroughs at the start. England won the clash by nine wickets and ended the series in a 1-1 tie.

7. 120 vs West Indies (Kensington Oval, March 2022)

Ben Stokes also rocked with his performance against West Indies at the latter’s home in March 2022, when he came up with his best-ever batting show on Caribbean soil in tests. With 120 runs off 128 deliveries with 11 boundaries and 6 sixes, Stokes helped England to post 507/9 in the 1st innings and also clinched two wickets later.

The match ended in a draw with both teams coming up with brilliant shows in batting and bowling, but Stokes grabbed the spotlight with his fabulous efforts.

6. 141 vs India in 4th Test (Emirates Old Trafford, July 2025)

India toured England in July 2025, during which Shubman Gill took on the test captaincy for the first time. Although the five-match test series ended in a draw (2-2), Stokes was a stand-out performer in the campaign.

He scored 141 runs with 11 fours and three sixes in the 1st innings, including a fifer and a total of six wickets in the 4th test at Emirates Old Trafford. The encounter could not draw a result, but Ben Stokes was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics.

5. 258 vs South Africa (Cape Town, Jan 2016)

South Africa are known for their dominance at home in the longest format, but Ben Stokes shattered their supremacy in an encounter in January 2016. He hammered a double century in the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

In the first innings, Stokes scored 258 runs off 198 deliveries with 30 boundaries and 11 sixes. The high-scoring clash, in which both England and South Africa posted 600-plus totals, ended in a draw, but Stokes was felicitated with the Player of the Match award.

4. 99 vs India (MCA Stadium in Pune, 2021)

Stokes played 21 ODI games against India in his career but never hit a century. In 2021, he came up with his highest score of 99 runs at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. In the 2nd ODI, India set a challenging target of 337 runs for England.

With his quickfire 99 runs off 52 deliveries with four boundaries and 10 sixes, Stokes played a prominent role in England’s victory by six wickets. Out of three ODIs, this was England’s only victory in the series.

3. 135* & 4 wickets vs Australia (Headingley, The Ashes 2025)

If we look at Stokes’ best-ever knock in Test cricket, the England vs Australia 3rd Test of the Ashes 2019 should get the top spot. In the nail-biting clash, England needed to chase a 362-run target.

In the 4th innings, Stokes hammered an unbeaten 135 runs and propelled England to victory by one wicket in an unbelievable fashion. This victory is still remembered as one of the best moments in England’s Ashes history and a spectacular moment in Stokes’ test career.

2. 52* vs Pakistan (Melbourne, T20 WC 2022 final)

England defeated Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 final to bag their second-ever title in the tournament’s history. Pakistan were a dominant side in the campaign and looked like favourites to win the title.

However, England shattered their hopes at Melbourne Cricket Ground and clinched a victory by five wickets. In the low-scoring clash, Pakistan posted 137/8 in the first innings.

Scoring an unbeaten 52 off 49 balls with the help of five fours and a six, Stokes led England to the trophy with his magnificent batting.

1. 84* vs New Zealand (ODI WC 2019 final)

England have been part of the ODI World Cup since the first edition in 1975, but won their first title in 2019, with Stokes starring with his batting. The ENG vs NZ encounter took place at Lord’s in London, and the Black Caps set a target of 242 runs.

England lost all of their key batters, but Stokes remained on one end and kept the winning hopes alive. With his unbeaten 84 off 98 deliveries with five fours and two sixes, Stokes helped England to level the score.

The match went into the Super Over, which also ended in a tie. However, England were declared champions based on boundary counts. Stokes’s contribution with the bat was a key reason behind England’s first ODI World Cup title.

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