Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif questioned the hype around Ben Stokes’ leadership after his side was found wanting in the second Test against India.
England have been fairly ordinary in the Edgbaston Test, and conceded 587 and 407-6 in the two innings respectively. With the bat, England were bowled out for 407 in the first innings, and were reduced to 77-3 at stumps on Day 4, staring at a massive defeat.
Kaif questioned Stokes’ leadership abilities and his contribution as a batter. The England captain was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings.
“I have never understood the hype around Ben Stokes the captain. On a flat track with sun shining he decides to bowl, today with some life in pitch edges flying but no extra slip. Batsmen took England to win in first Test but Stokes didn’t score many. Please inform if I have missed any of his hidden leadership master stroke,” wrote Kaif on X.
What Is The Highest Successful Run Chase In A Test?
England need 536 runs to win the second Test, and with the top order already back in the pavilion, a win looks out of the equation. However, England have pulled off some remarkable chases in the last few years, and even hunted 371 in the first Test against India. In 2022, they chased 378 against India at the same venue. But still, scoring at six runs per over for the entire day looks a very stiff target.
Meanwhile, if England have to pull off the chase, they’ll have to create the world record of the highest successful run chase. The record for the biggest chase is held by West Indies, who chased 418 against Australia in 2003 at Antigua Recreation Ground. The highest run chase in England was 404 by Australia at Headingley in 1948.