Ben Stokes revels in the role as England's knight in shining armour

NICK HOWSON AT HEADINGLEY: The Durham allrounder rose to the occasion again with the most breathtaking of centuries to keep the Ashes series alive

What Ben Stokes doesn't know about hitting match-winning innings isn't worth knowing. England were on their knees, almost begging to be put out of their misery in this Ashes series as Australia closed in on retaining the urn.

New Zealand hovered over the World Cup exactly six weeks ago in a similarly ominous manner. On both occasions, a 28-year-old from Christchurch with a never-say-die attitude and an extraordinary character ripped success from their midst.

Outstanding sixes and breathtaking stroke-play dominated both era-defining innings. Sir Ian Botham's exploits in 1981 on this ground and Old Trafford are revered to such an extent that the particular series against Australia that summer became his own. He now has a rival.

"It's certainly close (to the World Cup)," he told the media. "Walking off there at the end when the whole of Headingley was standing up and celebrating it was a very special moment. 

"It was something I had to take in because moments like that do not come along very often. It was an amazing game to be a part of and to still keep our Ashes hopes alive it was a pretty special feeling coming off at the end."

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Like every heroic deed, there was jeopardy alongside it. After lunch, his teammates fell with regularity, five of them for 41 runs. Marcus Harris then dropped Stokes at deep third man. Nathan Lyon missed running out Jack Leach. And umpire Joel Wilson gave England's talisman not out when trapped plumb lbw with all of Australia's reviews burned away.

Amid all the chaos happening around him, it is some achievement that Stokes' reckless hitting had quite the same venom. Every missed chance from Australia was a reminder as to how perilous England's position was in this match and the series.

^{Ben Stokes was unstoppable when he got in full flow}

"When Nathan Lyon came on was a very good piece of captaincy from Tim Paine to be fair," added Stokes. "Everyone was out on the boundary. It was a pitch which was very helpful for spin bowling. I was trying to attack the first half of the over when Jack came in so I thought it was a good ploy from him. 

"I wasn't quite sure whether to go like I was or to try and win it in ones and twos. I thought "I've got us to this playing this way, so I am going to keep going'. I had to make sure I picked the right ball and that is what I did."

England have plenty of talented cricketers in their Test and one-day ranks - many of them underperformed in this match but will surely be galvanised by the manner of the finale - but none are as resilient as Stokes.

If this wasn't emphasised on a dramatic fourth afternoon then it certainly was 48 hours previous. Then, Stokes bowled 24.2 overs on the bounce across two sessions, his only break coming for two deliveries before Jofra Archer broke-down with cramp.

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He picked up the baton and continued, dismissing Matthew Wade and Pat Cumins to keep England clinging on in the contest. It was only the hosts' abject batting display at the start of the day when they were bowled out for 67 which prevented his effort garnering any attention.

Naturally, for a man who operates exclusively in the trenches with no awareness of the pressure consuming him, he revels in the role of picking his side up and hauling them over the line kicking and screaming.

"Whatever the stage of the game is whether it is with bat or ball the team I am representing is going to get everything from me," he added.

"I really enjoy being the person that Joe turns to when it isn't going our way. I like to stand up and not do the easy things all the time and do the hard things as well.

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"The best thing about being an allrounder in cricket is you get to influence the game with ball and bat. You can always contribute to our team getting over the line and winning."

Stokes headed into the West Yorkshire twilight admitting his innings of 135 not out had been supercharged by a "knock-off Nandos and two bars of Yorkie Biscuit and Raisin" from the night before.

From inspiring audacious catching attempts and fortunate extras, Stokes has simultaneously re-written the rules of nutrition. Is there anything this man cannot do?