It was 2016 when the two charismatic cricket stars met each other in the ICC T20 world cup final at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata and people still remember what happened in that ultimate final over. Carlos Brathwaite, the name almost every cricket fans still remember after his heroics helped West Indies win the second T20 world cup in their history after beating England in the final. Brathwaite smashed four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes over to help West Indies became the most successful side in the T20 World Cup.
The Perfect Revenge For Ben Stokes Against Carlos Brathwaite
This is certainly the worst patch in the England all rounder’s career. Since then, he has improved as a cricketer. He made up for it when he helped England to win the ODI world cup three years later in 2019 on his home soil. Stokes was the Man Of The Match in the game as all can remember.
In the T20 Blast, Stokes faced Carlos Brathwaite again as Durham played against Birmingham at the riverside. This time Stokes was on the winning side as Durham defeated Birmingham Bears by 22 runs. The headline of this game was the return of Ben Stokes after his injury. It was his first game since breaking a finger in April playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. The England all-rounder made 29 off 18 balls, took a wicket and a brilliant catch as Durham registered their fourth win.
Brathwaite vs Ben Stokes ? pic.twitter.com/UqCrKJBu0J
— ribas (@ribas30704098) June 26, 2021
Durham posted a mammoth total of 185 for 4, courtesy of a brilliant 76 not out of 53 balls by Bancroft. The innings did not have any sixes, but there were seven boundaries. Stokes smashed a six over long-on off Tim Bresnan and also hit four boundaries in his 18-ball cameo, Stokes also tried the famous helicopter shot to score a boundary off Brathwaite’s over. But an attempted switch-hit off his 2016 World T20 final nemesis Carlos Brathwaite was his undoing as he edged to the keeper.
The Story Of The Game As A Whole And The Two Players Who Have Now Become Serious Rivals
In the second innings, Stokes put in a very economical performance with the ball to help defend the team total. He picked up the wicket of Sam Hain and ended his match figures with 1-20. Birmingham Bears could only manage 163-8 in reply.
This performance from Stokes is a huge boost for the England national side. England is playing Sri Lanka at home in the limited over format where they already have a 2-0 lead in the three matches T-20 series. Without some key players, England has dominated Sri Lanka in both the games and are favourites to make a clean sweep. They will be playing few ODI games next before playing five Tests against India.
The ICC T20 world cup will happen in the UAE in October and November this year. England side is one of the favourites to win as they are the number 1 side in ICC T20 rankings. The return of a fully fit Ben Stokes to the side can only boost their chances in the tournament.
