India, July 26 -- It took some time to come but it came at last. England captain Ben Stokes sent cricket statisticians into overdrive by slamming his 14th Test century -- his first in two years -- in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in Manchester. The left-handed all-rounder reached the milestone with a leg glance for four off Jasprit Bumrah, ending a personal wait of over two years for a Test hundred.

Resuming the day on 77 not out, Stokes batted with composure and intent, reaching three figures in 164 balls, including nine boundaries. His celebration was a poignant one - a clenched fist, a glance to the heavens, and a crooked finger gesture in memory of his late father, Ged Stokes, before raising his bat to the roaring Old...