Ben Stokes hits 64-ball hundred in County cricket after taking over as England Test captain

Ben Stokes got to his century off 64 balls in an over when he smashed an 18-year-old off-spinner Josh Baker for 34 runs, including five sixes and one four.

Ben Stokes, on Friday, May 6, smashed his way to a 64-ball century in Durham’s County Championship match against Worcestershire at the County Ground, New Road in Worcester. En route to his knock, the southpaw also broke Paul Collingwood’s record of the fastest century by a Durham batter in first-class cricket. Back in 2005, former England batter Collingwood scored a 75-ball century against Somerset.

Stokes came to bat after Ben Gibbon got rid of skipper Scott Borthwick with Durham’s score at 360/4. From there on, the left-hander showed his class and notched a half-century off 47 balls. After reaching the milestone, Stokes went absolutely berserk, and was severe on 18-year-old Josh Baker. In the 117th over, Stokes smashed the off-spinner for 34 runs, including five sixes off the first five balls.

That 100 from @benstokes38 is the fastest in FC cricket for @DurhamCricketIt came in 64 balls, 10x6s and 6x4s. @Colly622 previously held the record with 75 ball 100 v Somerset in 2005.#bbccricket

In the fifth ball of the over, Stokes cleared the ropes to rack up yet another first-class century. Thereafter, he took the attack to Jack Leach and carted him for four sixes. At the time of writing the article, Stokes scored 161 off 88 balls with eight fours and as many as 17 sixes. On the back of his knock, Durham had comfortably crossed the 550-run mark.