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THERE have been precious few highlights for England during this Ashes series, but Ben Stokes has at least provided promising signs for the future.
He, along with James Anderson and Stuart Broad, justified Alastair Cook's decision to bowl first in Sydney on Friday - in the first session at least, when they had Australia 4-94 at lunch.
The Kiwi-born all-rounder has scored England's only ton of the series and on Friday, playing in just his fourth Test match, claimed six wickets to bring his total tally for the series to 13.
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Stokes picked up the crucial wickets of Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, knocked over tailenders Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle in consecutive deliveries, before ending Steve Smith's magnificent knock of 115.
He beat both Rogers and Clarke with extra bounce on a lively SCG wicket, Rogers dragging it onto his stumps and Clarke edging one behind to Ian Bell at second slip.
It's the third time this series Stokes has picked up the prized scalp of the Australian captain.
And he ended the 128-run partnership between Haddin and Steve Smith by getting the in-form Haddin to edge one to Cook at first slip for 75.
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"Haddin has played well all series," Stokes said.
"He's up for it and he's played like that every innings so far. When a guy is playing like that against you I guess you have to hold your hand up to a guy in that form."
Described by former England captain Michael Vaughan as "the find of the series", Stokes has provided Cook with the perfect fourth seam-bowling option.
But it's the 22-year-old's fighting attitude - in a team that has shown so little fight - that has seen him stand out.
In his debut Test in Adelaide he and Mitchell Johnson had to be separated by umpire Kumar Dharmasena after the two collided while Stokes was batting.
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They both escaped further punishment, but Stokes made it clear he relished the contest when he said after the incident: "When someone gets a bit mouthy with you and makes you switch on and really feel like you're in a fight. And if you're in a fight, you want to win a fight."
The following Test in Perth he came out and scored a vintage second innings 120 on a dry and cracked WACA wicket. It wasn't enough to avoid defeat, but his gritty 99-run partnership with Bell showed real character.
Stokes reckons his batting is his strongest point, but with bowling figures of 6-99 on Friday he seems a genuine all-rounder.
Still, it was his ton that pleased him most.
"I couldn't put my finger on why one was more pleasing than the other," he said.
"It was my hundred, but at the same time pretty happy to get six wickets.
"It's all about keeping feet on the floor at the moment and just looking forward to your next innings or match. The success I've had so far I can easily turn around and people will be writing me off."
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