Stokes responds to Flintoff comparisons

When Ben Stokes removed two of South Africa's key batsmen with consecutive balls on the fourth afternoon of The Oval Test on Sunday, the chanting crowd was sent a dozen years back in time, to when another game-breaking allrounder was in his pomp.

So it was hardly surprising after play when Stuart Broad compared Stokes' spell to Andrew Flintoff at his belligerent best.

"That was as quick as I've seen him bowl," said Broad. "It was an intimidating spell, a bit like Andrew Flintoff used to bowl – heavy and at the batsman. It was great to get two key batsmen out with genuine pace and exciting to be on the field.

"With 'Stokesy', he's a better cricketer when he is in a battle and fired up – the team are learning how to get him in that mode more often.

"He's such a great competitor and he has that steely, focused look about him. He was pumped up for that spell and made a big difference."

On numbers alone at the same point in their careers, Stokes leaves his elder counterpart for dead. The Durham product has played 35 Tests and scored 2,120 runs at 34.19 with five hundreds, to go with 86 wickets at 34.46 with three five-wicket hauls and a best of 6-36. After 35 Tests, Flintoff had 1,566 runs at 29.54 with three centuries, and 69 wickets at 41.28 with one five-wicket haul and a best of 5-58.

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"I've always said that when the comparisons started flying at me that I’m not trying to be anyone else except myself," Stokes said.

"Some of the spells (Flintoff) produced when playing for England were amazing to watch. But I really don't know what to say.

"As long as I can produce the moments for the team that swing it our way and it means we’re going to win, that’s all I’m trying to do. Looking back over this Test the thing is we have managed to go 2-1 up in the series, (and) right the wrongs from Trent Bridge with the way the game has gone, but all that matters to me is winning the game."

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Stokes' first-innings century and three wickets across the third Test propelled him to 25th and 19th in the batting and bowling rankings respectively – career high places for him in both disciplines.

"He's always been a great player but over the last year he's really matured," said his captain, Joe Root. "He's found ways to be more consistent, affect the game.

"He thinks really well and he's got a great cricket brain, which he doesn't always get a lot of credit for.

"He's a person you know you can turn under pressure to wrest a game back in your favour – this week is a fine example of what he's capable of.

"He works extremely hard and you can see that now, so hopefully he's still on upward curve and has further to go and more to achieve in the game."

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