England vs West Indies: Ben Stokes takes satisfaction in going from aggressor to accumulator

Stand-in captain also said his players will rally around Jofra Archer after the bowler was forced out of the match for breaking bio-security protocols

“I was more buzzing when I faced 300 balls than when I reached my hundred,” laughed Ben Stokes, in disbelief at his own feat of endurance on day two.

A 10th Test century for the allrounder and a second for opener Dom Sibley helped England to 469 for nine declared in their first innings, putting them in a dominant position in the second Test against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford. Both innings were remarkable for their patience: Stokes’ 176 taking up 356 balls (the move to three figures coming in 255), while Sibley clipped and bunted 120 from 372. His trip to three figures came off 312 deliveries and almost eight hours. Day three will begin with West Indies trailing by 437 runs for the loss of John Campbell in their first-innings reply.

This was the hardest Stokes has had to work for a hundred – none have taken as long – and the satisfaction at showing a dexterity of style, from aggressor to accumulator, was clear.

“It’s something I never thought I would be capable of doing,” he said. “It’s about being aware of conditions – getting 450 after being put in [West Indies won the toss and bowled first] is amazing. I went through the gears at different periods. I’m happy with how things have gone.”

Stokes also lauded Sibley’s support at the other end, not least for allowing Stokes to, as he says, “go through the gears”. The half-century came in 119 deliveries, there to the century took 136 more before a blitz from 103 to 150 took just 46. All in all, he had 17 fours and two sixes. Sibley, by contrast, finished with just five fours. “Having Sibley at the other, he’s the rock at the top of the innings,” said Stokes. “Nothing fazes him.”

The 24-year-old himself did admit to some angst, though. “I think sometimes you think maybe after you get one it might be a bit of a fluke,” said Sibley at the end of play. That potential “fluke” came at the start of the year against South Africa at Cape Town.

Stokes was there, too, and a 72 partnership then was bettered with 260 for the fourth wicket here. And, of course, that second Sibley hundred – a 15th in first class cricket.

“To get two is a great feeling, and obviously it put us in a good position in the Test match more importantly, and hopefully will contribute to a win,” Sibley said.

England captain Ben Stokes (left) and Dom Sibley had a partnership of 260 runs (Getty Images) (Getty)

Meanwhile, Stokes stated England players will rally around Jofra Archer after the bowler was forced out of the match and into self-isolation for breaking bio-security protocols. Archer was ruled out of this Test the night before day one when he revealed that he visited his flat.

By doing so on the way to Old Trafford from the Ageas Bowl, and coming into contact with someone outside the ECB’s carefully orchestrated bubble, Archer put himself, his team-mates and the series at risk.

Stokes, who lauded Archer’s commitment to the team after his three wickets in the second innings of the first Test, which West Indies won by four wickets, had nothing but support for him, however.

“I think from us as players and as an England cricket group, this is a time where our way of operation really needs to come through. We really need to be there to support Jofra right now.

“Obviously he’s a big talking point and he is by himself because of everything else going on at the moment. It’s making sure that it doesn’t feel like he’s by himself.

“The worst thing we could do right now as a team is just leave him and see him in five or six days time. At times like this people are very, very tough and you can feel like you are all by yourself. But I don’t think anybody is going to allow that to happen. Jofra’s a massive part of this group as everybody is.

“It’s all good being there for people when things are going well and smoothly, but what really comes through is how you operate with someone when they need you the most.”