NEW DELHI: Australia captain Pat Cummins stated that England counterpart Ben Stokes's match-winning century at Headingley in 2019 will have no bearing on the upcoming Ashes clash in Leeds.
Cummins's team has arrived with a 2-0 lead in the five-match series following victories at Edgbaston and Lord's. Australia is now only one win away from securing their first Ashes victory in England in 22 years.
While Headingley has witnessed remarkable England triumphs, none were as remarkable as Stokes's incredible unbeaten hundred four years ago, which led to a memorable one-wicket victory over their arch-rivals Australia.
Interestingly, it was Cummins who bowled the delivery that Stokes confidently square-cut for a boundary to secure the improbable win.
"I remember at the time thinking, if I hang it outside off there might be a chance to nick it," Cummins told reporters.
1/10:'Unstoppable': Reliving the top 5 Test knocks of Ben Stokes
2/10:135* vs Australia (3rd Test, Headingley, 2019)
<p>This is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test innings of all time. Chasing an improbable target of 359 runs in the third Ashes Test, Stokes played an incredible knock under intense pressure.<br /></p>
3/10:135* vs Australia (3rd Test, Headingley, 2019)
<p>He single-handedly led England to a stunning one-wicket victory, hitting 135*. His innings was filled with powerful hitting and a remarkable partnership with Jack Leach. His match-winning 135* included 11 boundaries and 8 sixes.<br /><br /><br /></p>
4/10:258 vs South Africa (2nd Test, Cape Town, 2016)
<p>In the second Test against South Africa in 2016, Stokes produced a superb double century that helped England secure a commanding position in the first innings. His 258 off 198 balls included 30 fours and 11 sixes, displaying his aggressive batting style.<br /></p>
5/10:258 vs South Africa (2nd Test, Cape Town, 2016)
<p>Stokes dominated the South African bowling attack and was instrumental in England's 2-1 series win.<br /><br /></p>
6/10:155 vs England (2nd Test, Lord’s, 2023)
<p>The atmosphere of 2019 Headingley was in many ways recreated in the second Test at Lord’s in the ongoing Ashes series. England were reeling at 45/4 in a 371-run chase and Stokes took on the Aussie bowlers, notching up his second hundred as a skipper. He gave the English fans a lot of hope, but couldn't take his team across the finish line. </p>
7/10:155 vs England (2nd Test, Lord’s, 2023)
<p>Stokes' brute knock of 155 runs included 9 fours and 9 sixes and has gone into the history books as one of the best Ashes knocks ever played.<br /></p>
8/10:176 vs West Indies (2nd Test, Manchester, 2020)
<p>Stokes produced another match-winning knock in the second Test match against the West Indies at Manchester in 2020. England were struggling during the first innings when Stokes walked in and played a brilliant knock.<br /></p>
9/10:176 vs West Indies (2nd Test, Manchester, 2020)
<p>His 176 off 356 balls helped England reach a mammoth total and eventually a match win. Stokes' innings, which had 17 boundaries and a couple of sixes, showcased his resilience and determination.<br /></p>
10/10:120 vs Australia (3rd Test, Perth, 2013)
<p>In the third Test of the 2013-14 Ashes series, Stokes played a great knock against the mighty Aussies at a time when his team was reeling. Stokes showed amazing intent against the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris on a tough WACA pitch.<br /></p>"I've seen it about 1,000 times in the last four years. It was a fantastic Test match and the first two in this series have been fantastic."
But having starred with the bat earlier this month in Australia's dramatic two-wicket win at Edgbaston -- where England enjoyed a thrilling two-run Ashes win 18 years ago -- Cummins said: "I'm sure that (Headingley) memory will be brought up quite a bit, just like 2005 was brought up at Edgbaston, but we've well and truly moved past that."
Cummins did not reveal his final XI on Wednesday but did confirm Todd Murphy would replace Nathan Lyon after the off-spinner suffered a series-ending calf injury while fielding at Lord's.
Australia star batsman Steve Smith, fresh from a hundred at Lord's, is set to play his 100th Test.
(With inputs from AFP)
