VIDEO | Ben Stokes hits monster six off Kemar Roach that almost shatters pavilion glass

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Having been sent out to open the batting in the second innings to get quick runs, Ben Stokes was not messing around on the morning of Day 5. On just the fifth ball of the day, the southpaw stepped down the track and hit a monster six off Kemar Roach that almost shattered the pavilion glass.

Ben Stokes’ versatility as a batsman has hit absurd heights over the past 18 months or so. We all remember his otherworldly knock at Headingley where he single-handedly ripped the Australian bowling to shreds, but in the very same innings, he’d batted with a strike under 30 in the first 100 balls he faced. Similarly, he hit a 103-ball 28 versus New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in November, before smashing a match-winning 47-ball 72 versus South Africa in Cape Town just five innings later. 

And in the second Test against the Windies at Old Trafford, the southpaw’s incredible ability to play to the situation was once again in action. After scoring a somewhat-slow 176 in the first innings, Stokes was sent to open the batting in the second innings by skipper Root to up the ante, and while the all-rounder did not quite connect towards the end of Day 4, he was, however, at his absolute and dangerous best on the morning of Day 5. And his scary form was depicted by his monster six off Kemar Roach on just the very fifth ball of the day. 

On the fifth ball of Day 5, with England looking for quick runs so that they can declare, and with him having already conceded a four off the previous ball, Kemar Roach, bowling from around the wicket, pushed the ball outside off-stump in an attempt to curtail Stokes. But in the god-like form he is, Stokes, who was looking to throw the kitchen sink at absolutely everything, stepped down the track and arrogantly freed his arms and swatted the ball between wide long-off and deep extra-cover.  

The initial connection seemed sweet, but eventually, it turned out to be so good and powerful that the ball, which travelled miles, almost ended up shattering the glass covering in the pavilion. Poor John Campbell had to go to the stands and fetch the ball himself. Well, further evidence that Stokes is the undisputed GOAT at the moment. 

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