Don't want to emulate Flintoff, can carve out my own niche: Ben Stokes

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the Player of the Match when England beat South Africa in the third Test at The Oval. He scored a sensational 112 as the hosts made 353 runs in the first innings after choosing to bat first in testing conditions, and later he took three wickets with the ball. And much like always, he was brilliant on the field as well.

His all-round performance drew comparisons with England great Andrew Flintoff. The 39-year-old was one of the best bowlers of his time. He took 226 wickets from 79 Tests, 169 wickets from 141 ODIs and 5 wickets from 7 T20s. His records with the bat are substantial as well. He has scored 3845, 3394, and 76 runs from the aforementioned number of Tests, ODIs and T20s. Stokes said that it felt nice to be compared to a great like Flintoff, but he doesn’t want to emulate anyone and can carve out his own niche.

“It is always nice getting compared to that guy,” Stokes said. “Some of the spells he produced for England were amazing to watch. I don’t really know what to say to that. It is nice getting compliments from your team-mates.” Stokes was quoted as saying by Telegraph.

Want to keep winning England games 

“I always said when the comparison started that I am not trying to be anyone else except myself. As long as I can produce the moments for the team that swing it our way and means we are going to win, that is all I am trying to do. I am trying to produce certain moments in a game so it can swing our way but I am not trying to live up to anyone else’s reputation. I am trying to do what I do and trying to keep putting in good performances,” he added.