Ben Stokes "blown out of the water" after breaking England Test record

19 February 2023 , 09:35

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Ben Stokes is the fastest England captain to ten Test victories (Image: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Ben Stokes has become the fastest England captain to reach ten Test match wins after guiding his side to a brilliant 267 run win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.

Stokes has led England to ten wins in just 12 Tests since, having deputised for Joe Root in a defeat to the West Indies in 2020 before taking over as captain full time last year. In doing so, Stokes has broken a record held by Michael Vaughan, who took 16 Tests to reach ten wins.

Stokes has also equalled the all-time record, with Lindsay Hassett, who captained Australia between 1949 and 1953, also reaching ten Test wins in 12 attempts. When asked about his brilliant start as captain, Stokes was quick to pay tribute to his players.

"As much as it is me captaining the side, the team obviously have to take a lot of credit for that, even more than myself," he said. "I can only go out there and say 'can we try this?'.

"They say yes, but they've then got to execute everything. Not only have I got an unbelievable bowling attack to be able to captain, but I've also got a seriously skilled and very brave batting line-up to watch.

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"They've got to take a lot of credit for the sort of record I have as a captain. When I took over, I thought it would be a good opportunity for a slightly bigger change to the way the team thinks about playing Tests.

"But expectations just keep being blown out of the water by the performances, not only that the team are putting in but also certain individuals keep putting in over the last 10 to 11 months."

Stokes also hailed James Anderson and Stuart Broad after they picked up eight wickets in New Zealand's second innings (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Stokes also paid tribute to veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who picked up four wickets apiece in New Zealand's second innings and overtook Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne to become the most successful bowling partnership in Test history

"I think having James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the side makes captaincy a lot easier," he added. "You just throw them the ball and away they go.

"They're setting a great example not only for us in the dressing room but for anybody who wants to have a long career in professional sport. Seeing them running in with three lions on their chest is great and I don't really want to think too far ahead to when they might call time on their careers."

Matthew Cooper