On 25 August 2019, the third Ashes Test at Headingley produced the most thrilling fourth-innings chase in the history of Test cricket. Bowled out for an embarrassing 67 in their first innings and staring at Ashes elimination, England completed a staggering one-wicket victory over Australia, chasing down a mountainous target of 359.
At the center of this modern sporting miracle was Ben Stokes. His heroic 135 not out off 219 balls—anchored by an unforgettable 76-run final-wicket stand with No. 11 Jack Leach—defied statistical probability, tactical odds, and physical exhaustion to keep the 2019 Ashes alive.
The Ashes Crisis: Bowled Out for 67 and Facing Elimination
Trailing 1-0 after defeat at Edgbaston and a tense draw at Lord's, England arrived at Headingley needing a win to keep their Ashes hopes intact. Australia were without premier batter Steve Smith, who was ruled out with a concussion sustained from a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's.
Despite Jofra Archer claiming 6/62 to dismiss Australia for 179 in the first innings, England suffered an apocalyptic collapse, bowled out for a pathetic 67 runs in just 27.5 overs against Josh Hazlewood (5/30) and Pat Cummins.
Propelled by concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne's resilient 80, Australia set England a fourth-innings target of 359 runs. No team had ever chased more than 315 to win a Test at Headingley.
The Chase Unravels: 286/9 and Hopeless Odds
England showed initial fight on Day 3 through Joe Root (77) and Joe Denly (50). However, Australia's disciplined attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, James Pattinson, and Nathan Lyon initiated a clinical collapse on Day 4.
When Jonny Bairstow fell for 36, followed by Jos Buttler's run-out, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, and Jofra Archer, England plunged from 245/4 to 286/9. Australia needed just one wicket with England still 73 runs away from victory. Statistical models gave England less than a 1% chance of survival.
The Two Gears of Ben Stokes: From Ultra-Defense to Carnage
What made Stokes' innings peerless was his mastery of tempo:
- Phase 1 (The Anchor): Stokes scored just 2 runs off his first 66 balls, and had crawled to 61 off 174 deliveries when the 9th wicket fell. He was in pure preservation mode.
- Phase 2 (The Assault): With Jack Leach at the crease, Stokes unleashed calculated mayhem, blasting 74 runs off his next 45 balls.
- The Execution: He launched reverse sweeps off Nathan Lyon, dispatched Cummins over mid-wicket, and ramped Hazlewood over third man, farming the strike by taking singles strictly on deliveries 4 or 5 of every over.
The 76-Run Last-Wicket Stand with Jack Leach (1*)
No. 11 batter Jack Leach played one of the most heroic supporting roles in cricket lore. In an unbroken 76-run partnership for the final wicket, Leach scored precisely 1 run not out from 17 deliveries, while Stokes contributed 73 runs.
Between every over, Leach methodically cleaned his spectacles with a cloth, resetting his composure while 17,000 spectators roared inside Headingley. His single run tied the scores at 358.
The Final Two Overs: Drop, Fumble, and the Missing Review
With England needing 2 runs to win, the match culminated in three minutes of unprecedented sporting chaos:
- Marcus Harris Drops Stokes (Over 124.5): Stokes mistimed a slog-sweep off Lyon; Marcus Harris ran in from deep third man, dived forward, but shelled the catch.
- Nathan Lyon's Fumbled Run-Out (Over 125.3): Stokes reverse-swept and was halfway down the pitch before sending Leach back. Cummins threw accurately to Lyon at the bowler's end. Leach was stranded by four yards, but Lyon fumbled the simple collection, failing to break the stumps.
- The Plumb LBW Not Given (Over 125.4): Next ball, Lyon struck Stokes flush on the knee roll right in front of middle stump. Umpire Joel Wilson shook his head: Not Out. Hawkeye replays subsequently confirmed the ball was smashing into the middle of the stumps (Three Reds).
- Why Australia Couldn't Review: In the previous over, Australian captain Tim Paine had squandered their final DRS review on a hopeless leg-side appeal against Jack Leach off Cummins. Australia were out of reviews.
Moments later, Pat Cummins ran in with England needing one run. Stokes cut a short delivery ferociously through backward point for four, letting out an iconic gutter roar with arms outstretched toward the western terrace.
Headingley 2019: Key Match Statistics
| Innings | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Australia 1st Innings | 179 all out (52.1 Overs) | David Warner 61; Jofra Archer 6/62 |
| England 1st Innings | 67 all out (27.5 Overs) | Joe Denly 12; Josh Hazlewood 5/30, Pat Cummins 3/23 |
| Australia 2nd Innings | 246 all out (75.2 Overs) | Marnus Labuschagne 80; Ben Stokes 3/56 |
| England 2nd Innings | 362/9 (125.4 Overs) | Ben Stokes 135* (219), Joe Root 77; Josh Hazlewood 4/85 |
Result: England won by 1 wicket. Player of the Match: Ben Stokes (135* & 3/56).
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Steve Smith play in the 2019 Headingley Test?
No. Steve Smith missed the third Test at Headingley due to a concussion suffered from a Jofra Archer bouncer in the previous Test at Lord's. Marnus Labuschagne played in his place as history's first concussion substitute.
How many runs did Jack Leach score in the 76-run stand?
Jack Leach scored exactly 1 not out off 17 balls, while Ben Stokes smashed 73 runs during their miraculous unbroken 76-run tenth-wicket partnership.
Why couldn't Australia review the plumb LBW against Stokes?
Australian captain Tim Paine had exhausted Australia's final review an over earlier on an unsuccessful caught-behind appeal against Jack Leach. When umpire Joel Wilson turned down Lyon's plumb LBW appeal, Australia had no reviews left to challenge it.
What was England's lowest total in the 2019 Headingley Test?
England were bowled out for just 67 runs in their first innings, making their eventual 359-run chase the greatest fourth-innings comeback in Ashes history.
Conclusion
Ben Stokes' 135* at Headingley remains the gold standard of fourth-innings resilience. Coming just six weeks after his match-winning heroics in the 2019 ODI World Cup Final, the performance cemented Stokes' legacy as the ultimate clutch performer in modern sports. It proved that when combined with tactical discipline, unmatched physical stamina, and belief, no cricket match is truly lost.
Some cricket matches are remembered for years, but some become part of sporting history forever. The 2019 Headingley Test match between England and Australia was one such unforgettable moment where courage, belief, and extraordinary skill created a miracle.
At the centre of this incredible comeback was Ben Stokes, who produced one of the greatest Test innings ever played. With England facing an almost impossible situation, Stokes delivered a performance that changed the course of the match and became a legendary chapter in cricket history.
His unbeaten 135-run innings against Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley is widely considered one of the greatest fourth-innings knocks ever witnessed in Test cricket.
The Background: England's Ashes Battle Against Australia
The 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia was filled with intense competition. Australia had regained the Ashes urn in 2017-18 and arrived in England with a strong squad led by Tim Paine.
The third Test at Headingley became a must-win match for England after losing the second Test. Australia, however, looked completely in control after posting a challenging first-innings total.
Australia Sets England a Huge Challenge
Australia batted first and scored 179 runs in their opening innings. England responded poorly and were bowled out for only 67 runs, giving Australia a massive advantage.
In their second innings, Australia's batting lineup performed much better. Thanks to contributions from Steve Smith and other batsmen, Australia set England a target of 359 runs to win the match.
Chasing 359 in the fourth innings of a Test match is already a difficult task, but England's situation became even worse as wickets started falling quickly.
England's Collapse: Hope Almost Gone
England's chase started badly. The top-order batsmen struggled against Australia's world-class bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon.
At one stage, England were struggling at 156 runs for 6 wickets. The target still looked far away, and Australia's victory appeared almost certain.
The crowd at Headingley was losing hope. But then Ben Stokes walked in and began one of the most remarkable rescue missions in cricket history.
Ben Stokes Takes Control of the Impossible Chase
When Ben Stokes arrived at the crease, England were under enormous pressure. The team needed more than just runs; they needed someone who could handle the pressure of a huge target against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the world.
Stokes started carefully, understanding that one mistake could end England's hopes. Instead of playing risky shots immediately, he built his innings with patience and confidence.
Slowly, he began finding gaps, attacking the loose deliveries, and putting pressure back on the Australian bowlers. His ability to switch between defence and attack made the innings extraordinary.
The Turning Point: Stokes and Bairstow Fight Back
Ben Stokes found support from Jonny Bairstow, and together they started rebuilding England's innings. Their partnership gave the home crowd a reason to believe again.
However, Australia kept fighting and eventually removed Bairstow. England were still far behind the required target, and the pressure returned.
With wickets falling around him, Stokes knew that he had to take complete responsibility for the chase.
The Final Wicket Partnership: Ben Stokes and Jack Leach
After England lost their ninth wicket, only one man stood between Australia and victory—tailender Jack Leach.
At that moment, England still required a significant number of runs, and almost everyone expected Australia to complete a famous victory.
But Stokes continued to believe. He protected Leach from facing dangerous deliveries and took charge whenever the opportunity arrived.
The partnership between Stokes and Leach became one of the most famous last-wicket partnerships in Test cricket history.
The Incredible Fightback
Ben Stokes began producing shots that seemed impossible under such pressure. He attacked Australia's bowlers with fearless stroke play while maintaining complete control.
His famous six over the boundary against Nathan Lyon became one of the defining moments of the match. Every run brought England closer, and every defensive shot from Jack Leach increased the tension inside Headingley.
The Australian team, which had been dominating the match for most of the game, suddenly found itself under immense pressure.
The Moment of History: England Complete the Miracle
With England needing just a few runs to win, the entire stadium was holding its breath. Ben Stokes continued his unbelievable innings and kept England alive.
Finally, England reached the target with Stokes remaining unbeaten on 135 runs. The moment created one of the loudest celebrations ever heard at Headingley.
The impossible had happened. England had defeated Australia by one wicket after being almost completely out of the contest.
Ben Stokes' Legendary Numbers
- Runs scored: 135* (not out)
- Balls faced: 219
- Boundaries: 11 fours and 8 sixes
- Match result: England won by 1 wicket
- Partnership: 76 runs with Jack Leach for the final wicket
Why This Innings Was So Special
Many batsmen have scored centuries in Test cricket, but very few innings combine pressure, situation, and importance like Ben Stokes' Headingley masterpiece.
He was not simply scoring runs; he was fighting against the match situation, the scoreboard, and one of the best bowling attacks in the world.
The Impact of the Headingley Miracle on The Ashes
Ben Stokes' incredible innings did more than just win a Test match; it completely changed the momentum of the 2019 Ashes series.
After falling behind in the series, England desperately needed a victory to stay alive. The Headingley win gave the team renewed confidence and proved that they could compete against Australia's powerful squad.
The victory also became one of the biggest examples of fighting spirit in modern Test cricket. It showed that a match is never over until the final ball is bowled.
Ben Stokes vs Australia: A Battle of Character
The Ashes rivalry has always produced legendary performances, but Stokes' Headingley innings stands among the greatest because of the situation in which it was achieved.
Australia had some of the world's best bowlers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. Yet Stokes remained fearless and continued attacking whenever the opportunity appeared.
His innings was a perfect combination of aggression, patience, and mental strength.
Why Ben Stokes' Headingley Innings Is Considered One of the Greatest
- Impossible Situation: England were chasing 359 runs and were almost out of the game.
- Quality Opposition: The innings came against a strong Australian bowling attack.
- Extreme Pressure: Every mistake could have ended England's chances.
- Match Importance: The result kept England alive in the Ashes series.
- Individual Brilliance: Stokes played a once-in-a-generation innings.
The Partnership with Jack Leach: A Story of Trust
One of the most memorable parts of the Headingley Test was the partnership between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach.
While Stokes scored the majority of the runs, Leach's role was equally important. He showed incredible courage by staying at the crease and supporting Stokes during the most intense moments.
The image of Leach cleaning his glasses while Stokes waited at the other end became one of the most iconic pictures from the match.
Ben Stokes' Transformation as a Leader
The Headingley miracle became a defining moment in Ben Stokes' career. It highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and later played an important role in shaping him as a leader.
Years later, Stokes became England's Test captain and helped introduce an aggressive style of cricket known as "Bazball". His fearless approach on the field reflected the same mentality he displayed during the 2019 Ashes.
The Legacy of the Miracle at Headingley
Cricket history is filled with great innings, but only a few become legends. Ben Stokes' 135 not out at Headingley belongs in that special category.
It was not just about statistics or records. It was about belief when defeat looked certain, courage when pressure was at its highest, and determination when everything seemed impossible.
For cricket fans around the world, the phrase "The Miracle at Headingley" will always represent one of the greatest comebacks ever witnessed in Test cricket.
Conclusion
Ben Stokes' Headingley innings was a masterpiece of modern Test cricket. Against all odds, he turned a hopeless situation into one of the most dramatic victories in the history of the sport.
His unbeaten 135 runs will forever be remembered as an example of courage, skill, and belief. The match proved that in cricket, no target is impossible and no situation is truly lost.
One player. One innings. One unforgettable miracle at Headingley.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Ben Stokes score 135 against Australia?
Ben Stokes scored his famous unbeaten 135 runs on 25 August 2019 during the third Test of the Ashes series at Headingley, Leeds.
How many runs did England need to win the Headingley Test?
England needed 359 runs to win the match in the fourth innings.
Who partnered with Ben Stokes during the final wicket stand?
Jack Leach partnered with Ben Stokes during the final wicket partnership, helping England complete one of the greatest Test victories.
Did England win the 2019 Ashes series?
The 2019 Ashes series ended in a 2-2 draw, with Australia retaining the Ashes urn.