Reuters/Perth

On a fourth day at the WACA, which drew few positives for the beleaguered tourists, the 99 belligerent runs added by Stokes and Ian Bell in about 20 overs for the fifth wicket was the highlight, helping England close on 251 for five, still trailing Australia by 252 runs.

Stokes in particular provided a glimpse of what England might need in the future at the number six batting position — someone who can counter-attack and take the fight to the opposition.

A combative cricketer sent home in disgrace from a Lions trip to Australia last winter, Stokes is repaying some of the faith shown in him by the England hierarchy.

While his more accomplished peers struggled, in tandem with Bell, the Durham all-rounder for the first time in the series made some of Australia’s bowlers toil in the heat.

Leaving the ball well outside the off stump, defending with dignity and a straight bat and refusing to be lured into the hook shot, Stokes posed some serious questions for Australia’s bowlers.

He was a revelation, pulling and driving Australia’s bowlers to the boundary with aplomb not seen from the tourists so far on this tour.

“Ben Stokes was outstanding I thought today. He showed some greats shots and his potential for the future looks massive,” Bell later told reporters. “I think he’s got a fantastic future ahead of him. The way he’s shown he can play quick bowling, the way he hits down the ground. And just that attitude with the ball.

“I have never seen him moan about anything. He just gets on with it. He runs in all day. He bowls good pace. He showed today what he can do with the bat.”

Stokes took two wickets in Australia’s second innings but it was his array of shots around the ground and refusal to be intimidated that was most impressive as he reached his maiden Test half-century off 69 balls in 96 minutes.

He ended the day on 72 not out while Bell fell for 60 and their positive play also helped in boosting England’s run rate. 

Even the Australians were impressed.

“I think he’s been very impressive, to see the workload he went through today and yesterday after Stuart Broad was injured,” said all-rounder Shane Watson.

Boycott berates ‘selfish’ Pietersen

Outspoken former England batsman Geoff Boycott described Kevin Pietersen as “selfish” after he again conceded his wicket cheaply as the tourists slumped towards defeat in the Ashes.

With England chasing an improbable target of 504 to avoid defeat, Pietersen put on a brisk 45 before holing out to Ryan Harris on the long-on boundary off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

“You could see it coming with Kevin Pietersen,” the 73-year-old Yorkshireman, a regular critic of the South Africa-born batsman, told BBC Radio. “Brad Haddin turned to (Michael) Clarke to say something, and they brought long-on up to mid-on. Pietersen took the bait and got away with it; a mishit for three. His brain was scrambled. He won’t play in a careful, controlled manner. It’s as selfish as you can get. You wonder what (head coach) Andy Flower and (batting coach) Graham Gooch are saying to him. Are they strong enough to say something to him?”