Five-star Stokes joins legends among England Test captains

Stokes became only the 11th England skipper to claim a Test five-for, joining an elite list that most recently saw Joe Root’s 5/8 vs India in 2021

Doubts had loomed over Stokes’ bowling fitness, but in grey Manchester skies, he delivered with grit, guile and relentless accuracy

Stokes wasn’t bowling express pace, but with tight lines and smart angles, he systematically choked India’s momentum with ball in hand

Stokes dismissed Gill with one that jagged in, removed a settled Sudharsan, and ran through India’s lower order in a game-shifting spell

Finishing with figures of 5/72 in 24 overs, every scalp felt earned, Stokes didn’t just bowl, he imposed himself when England needed him most