England captain Joe Root described Ben Stokes as a “freak” after the all-rounder’s astonishing unbeaten 135 at Headingley kept their Ashes hopes alive.

Stokes, who was the hero of England’s equally dramatic World Cup win, put together a 76-run 10th-wicket stand with his final partner, Jack Leach, who scored only one run as he fended off Australia’s bowling attack for long enough to allow Stokes to smash the ball to all corners of the ground.

His innings included eight sixes of all types, with one huge reverse sweep as well as an audacious scoop over Australia’s captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine behind him.

“Ben Stokes is a freak, he’s incredible,” said Root. “The message at the start was to just keep believing. If we had two people out there still breathing then we have a chance.

“After Stokes got to 60-70 he looked like he wasn’t going to get out. To win a game on your own from there is just amazing. He does have recent experience of doing it. Just incredible to watch unfold.”

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Popperfoto via Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes of England is struck on the helmet by Josh Hazlewood at the start of day four. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The damage to his helmet. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The vicious blow knocked out Stokes' stem guards. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures A close-up of the delivery. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The ball thumped into his helmet. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes takes a moment to compose himself. 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Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Jorfa Archer replaced Chris Woakes at the crease with England 261-7. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes plays a shot. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Archer eventually fell for 15, with England 286-8. Popperfoto via Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stuart Broad replaced Archer at the crease. Popperfoto via Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes in batting action. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Fans celebrate Stokes going on the attack. 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Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes in action, Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures With Jack Leach at the crease England had to be on the lookout for quick singles. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes gets down on one knee. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes of England reverse sweeps for six watched on by Tim Paine. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The sublime shot flew over the boundary. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes reacts after being struck on the knee. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes plays a shot. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He again tries the reverse sweep. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes plays a reverse sweep for six. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes takes a moment. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He reacts after being struck on the knee. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes plays a shot. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures England edged towards their mammoth target. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes leans on his bat. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes in action. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes celebrates his century in extremely muted fashion. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures At this point Stokes didn't think he had an awful lot to celebrate. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He pinches a single as Tim Paine looks on. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures England's two batsmen touch gloves. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes plays another attacking shot... AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures ... which sends the Headingley crowd wild. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes turns for a second run. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures David Warner fails to stop the ball before the boundary. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes in action. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The 28-year-old hits a four. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He could barely watch Jack Leach at the other end of the wicket. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Marnus Labuschagne fails to stop a six. PA Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Marcus Harris missed a catch. AFP/Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes celebrates winning the third Test for England. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He roars to the heavens... Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures ... and Headingley roars with him. 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Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures The hero. Getty Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He was at the crease for 330 minutes. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures He faced 219 deliveries. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes is mobbed. Action Images via Reuters Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Jason Roy and Joe Root greet England's match winner. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures And Jofra Archer steals a cheeky hug. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes leans on Stuart Broad for support. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Stokes celebrates with teammate Jonathan Bairstow. Getty Images Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Ben Stokes’ sensational innings in pictures Jos Buttler grabs the match winner. Getty Images

Paine and his Australian teammates were magnanimous at the finish, congratulating Stokes on one of the great Ashes performances.

“Ah look, it happens mate,” Paine said of his team’s gut-wrenching defeat. ”Ben Stokes has played one of the great innings. It’s got to sting but we have to trust our process, we were very close. We are on the right track and we have two more chances to win the Ashes.”

The one-wicket victory means the series is level at 1-1 going into the fourth Test at Old Trafford, which begins on 4 September.

“I never gave up,” Stokes said. ”When Jack Leach came in it was pretty clear what I had to do. I told him five and one, I’d take five balls and give him one. Leachy is our super-nightwatchman so I backed him knowing what we had to do. I couldn’t watch at the end. I couldn’t watch the balls going down.”

Former England all-rounder Ian Botham, speaking in the Sky Sports studio, said afterwards: “It takes a remarkable man and I said this morning that someone needed to front up and be strong. I’ve banged the Ben Stokes drum for a long time now and I know when other players see him they think there is something special about him.