BEN STOKES produced another match-winning display then told cricket chiefs to keep their hands off five-day Tests.
Skipper Joe Root labelled Stokes his golden nugget as the heroic all-rounder took the final three wickets to level the series 1-1 in South Africa.
Stokes said: It proves why Test cricket should be five days and should stay five days.
“The fact it went to the wire proves that it was an amazing game.
The thrilling finish made a mockery of plans to scrap five-day Tests in 2023 as Stokes trio of wickets in the space of 14 balls sealed England a 189-run win in this Second Test.
He added: As a spectator, it must be awesome living through the emotions over five days.
‘GOLDEN NUGGET’
Its not made for four days, its for five. Its called Test cricket for a reason. If they change it to four, it should be called easy cricket.
Root could barely contain his admiration for Stokes, whose solo antics in 2019 inspired England to victory in the World Cup final and the Ashes Third Test at Headingley.
He said: Hes a golden nugget, isnt he? Hes just a fantastic specimen, really.
Hes a born match-winner who will always put the team first and give everything.
Weve seen it time and again. Hes a fantastic example to the young squad we have here.
There arent many sides who have a Ben Stokes. Were very lucky to be witnessing what we are at the moment.
For him to keep doing it and show hes not a flash in the pan is testament to how hard he works and what he does behind the scenes.
