Former Australian captain Kim Hughes ranked Ben Stokes’ match-winning Ashes century one of the top three greatest knocks in Test history.
Stokes smashed an unbeaten 135 to guide England to a pulsating one-wicket win at Headingley allowing the hosts to level the series at 1-1.
The all-rounder and No.11 Jack Leach (1 not out) shared an unbroken partnership of 76 for the last wicket to help England chase down the improbable target of 359 for victory.
Hughes says the 28-year-old’s ball striking was reminiscent of Ian Botham’s memorable 149 not out at the same venue in 1981.
“It was freakish, it was like Ian Botham’s,” Hughes told SEN SA Dwayne’s World.
“It’s got to be in the top two or three performances in the history of Test cricket.
“Even with all the fellas on the boundary, Stokes just kept playing his shots – he hit eight sixes.”
Stokes’ heroics breathed new life into the series with the fourth Test at Old Trafford set to get underway on September 4.
Listen to today’s edition of SEN SA’s Dwayne’s World in the player below