Ben Stokes marked his return to England’s Test side in spectacular fashion, producing a tireless bowling display against New Zealand while entering one of the most exclusive clubs in Test cricket history.The England all-rounder became only the second player in the history of the longest format to combine more than 7,000 Test runs with 250 wickets, joining South African great Jacques Kallis in achieving the remarkable all-round milestone.At the time of writing, Stokes has scored 7,228 Test runs and claimed 250 wickets, while Kallis finished his legendary career with 13,289 runs and 292 wickets.The landmark came during the third Test against New Zealand after the visitors chose to bat first. England endured a frustrating start as Devon Conway and Tom Latham put together a commanding 317-run opening partnership, leaving the hosts searching for a breakthrough.It was Stokes who finally broke the deadlock, dismissing Latham to end the mammoth stand. From there, the England captain led the fightback with an inspired spell, bowling long, demanding spells and claiming four wickets to emerge as England’s standout performer. His relentless effort kept England in the contest despite New Zealand’s dominant start.The performance was especially significant considering the events leading up to his return. Stokes had missed the second Test against New Zealand after he and teammate Gus Atkinson were stood down by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching an unofficial team curfew following England’s victory in the opening Test at Lord’s.The pair had gone out after the win and were involved in a late-night incident at a Chelsea nightclub. Reports stated that an England team security official was struck by a rugby player from Premiership club Saracens during the incident.Following an investigation, the ECB concluded that Stokes and Atkinson had “breached specific contractual obligations” and issued both players formal written warnings. However, the independent Cricket Regulator found there was “insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred.”With England reeling from a crushing 253-run defeat in the second Test, both Stokes and Atkinson were immediately recalled for the third Test. Stokes responded in the best possible manner, delivering a match-defining bowling performance while writing his name into the record books.By reaching the rare double of 7,000 Test runs and 250 wickets, Stokes has underlined his status as one of the greatest all-rounders of the modern era, joining Jacques Kallis as the only cricketers to accomplish the feat.
