'Headingley shades, can he do it again?' - Twitter erupts as Superman Stokes' carnage keeps England alive on Day 5 at Lord's

The second Test of the Ashes 2023 at Lord’s continued its breathtaking action on Day 5 as England resumed their innings on 114/4 with Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) at the crease. The duo continued their stand and added 132 runs for the fifth wicket to frustrate Australia. However, the balance shifted in Australia's favour quickly as they got rid of Duckett (83) off a bouncer.

Australia further managed to see the back of Jonny Bairstow through a controversial dismissal which saw Alex Carey running him out cunningly from behind the stumps. The dismissal was not well received by England players and the crowd and seemed to irk Stokes, who unleashed his beast mode once again on Australia.

Needing 178 runs to win and having just four wickets in hand, the England captain began targeting Cameron Green and smacked him for three boundaries to start the carnage. He further continued the onslaught on the young all-rounder in his very next over and clobbered him for a boundary and three consecutive sixes. He managed to get 24 runs off the over and recorded the joint second most runs scored in an over by an England batter in Test cricket.

Stokes took on Australia’s short ball ploy and brought the Lord’s crowd alive as he raced to his hundred in 142 balls. The 32-year-old was on 62*(126) at the time of Bairstow’s dismissal and ended up scoring his next 38 runs in 16 balls. His knock sent ominous signs to Australia and reminded them of the famous Headingley Test of the 2019 Ashes when Stokes pulled off a miraculous victory for England, scoring 135*.

England need 128 runs in two sessions

England went to lunch on 243/6 with Stokes (108*) and Stuart Broad (1*) at the crease. They further require 128 more runs to win, having four wickets in hand, and it all depends on Ben Stokes to emulate his Headingley heroics and take his team home. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions to Stokes’ breathtaking knock.

Here are some of the Tweets:

Ben Stokes, there are no words...

Just incredible! 🙌 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/J1u2Ttwmo5

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 2, 2023

Can skipper Ben Stokes take England over the line?#CricTracker #BenStokes #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/Xl2C1R8k1d

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 2, 2023

''This is THE most extraordinary cricket at the moment''. 🤯

Ben Stokes reaches 100 with yet another six.#BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/3AXaB53spP

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 2, 2023

6️⃣, 6️⃣, 6️⃣

What a way to reach your Test ton! 😱

Ben Stokes 👏👏👏#WTC25 | #ENGvAUS 📝: https://t.co/liWqlPCKqn pic.twitter.com/pnhjDKAAlh

— ICC (@ICC) July 2, 2023

The greatest All-Rounder there was. The greatest All-Rounder there is. The greatest All-Rounder there ever will be.

BEN STOKES 🐐pic.twitter.com/pkFeli280S

— ` (@rahulmsd_91) July 2, 2023

Century for Ben Stokes. What a player! Headingly shades, can he do it again? #Benstokes #AUSvENG #Ashes23

— Naveen thangellapalli (@naveenvirat363) July 2, 2023

Love the Ashes..blood sweat and snotters ..take a bow Ben Stokes ..Greatness is Contagious

— Macdunes180 (@macdunes1) July 2, 2023

Ben Stokes has my heart on a knifedge, thank god for the lunch break😂 #Ashes23

— David Hindmarsh (@DavidHindmarsh7) July 2, 2023

The tension has risen. Both teams are fired up. Everything's at stake. The crowd is fired up with its boos!

This test match is heading towards an epic finish.

Are you expecting a headinlgy type Ben Stokes again? #ENGvsAUS #Ashes23 #TestCricket

— Tired Popeye 🥫 (@Underthedome_7) July 2, 2023

Again, pathetic cricket all round. At least Ben Stokes is there to show everyone how it should be played. #Ashes2023

— Ant Olsson (@Ant_olsson93) July 2, 2023

There aren’t many things more exciting and exhilarating in all of sport than Ben Stokes in that mood. #Ashes23 #TheAshes2023 #Stokes

— Denis Green (@Denisgreen10) July 2, 2023