SYDNEY: Wincing Ben Stokes produced a counter-punching half-century to help England recover from a collapse of early wickets against Australia in the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney on Friday.
The star all-rounder, in pain from a side strain picked up while bowling on Thursday, seized the initiative to post his highest score of the series after England were in dire straits at 36 for four.
Stokes and Jonny Bairstow batted through the middle session to take the game to Australia, but still trailed Australia’s first innings 416 for eight declaration by 281 runs at tea.
At the interval Stokes was unbeaten on 52 with Bairstow not out 45 in England’s 135 for four.
It was a gutsy effort from Stokes, who was unable to bowl…
