When Ben Stokes took us on an Ashes journey, cricket’s kinship with hiking was plain to see

In the latest in his series of reflections, Will Gore considers the connection between his two favourite pastimes

Saint Ben’s miracle draws parallels with being in the great outdoors (Getty)

I was almost one of the lucky ones.

I had a ticket for the Headingley test last weekend – but it was for the Saturday. Still a very fine day of cricket indeed; but little could we have guessed at the Ben Stokes magic which was to follow.

On Sunday – Stokesday – I was back home in Hertfordshire, nervously listening to the BBC’s Test Match Special or checking various live blogs, lest one of them might be loading quicker than another.