BEN Stokes' heroics with the bat at Headingley in the third Specsavers Ashes Test match will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it - even more so if you were lucky enough to have been inside the ground to see it.

One man who was fortunate to see all the drama unfold from the Headingley stands was Crossflatts Cricket Club second team captain Lee Bailey - who relives one of the greatest comeback victories in Test match history.

"It was the best day of my life by a country mile.

"It even topped my wedding day and the birth of my two children," buzzed Bailey, who is also known as the White Feather.

"I had already been to the second day's play and that was a bit of a disaster to be honest.

"England collapsed with the bat, being bundled out for a mere 67, and I had one too many San Miguels with the lads and forgot to put some sun cream on and I got a bit burnt. I never learn my lesson.

"I had renewed optimism heading into day four and I hoped that Joe Root would see us home, but he went early.

"The crowd feared the worst when Buttler was run out.

"Woakes, Archer and Broad were then dismissed and I felt sick in the pit of my stomach as our number 11 Jack Leach strode to the crease.

"What happened then was truly remarkable. Stokes hit the turbo switch and defied cramp and dehydration and literally smashed the ball to all parts, farming the strike exceptionally.

"The atmosphere was electric and the tension and pressure was building as England got closer to the 359-run target.

"Leach cleaned his glasses like his life depended on it, Stokes looked away when his batting partner was on strike.

"When Stokes top edged the ball to third man off the off-spin of Nathan Lyon, the crowd held its breath.

"Thankfully the chance went down. Nathan Lyon then missed a chance to seal the win when he missed an easy chance to run out Leach but he fumbled the ball and the chance went begging. I think my heart literally stopped beating.

Moments later, England needed one to win and Stokes dispatched Pat Cummings through the covers for four and seal the win and the crowd went ballistic.

Bailey added: "The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just thinking about it again.

"It'll be a bit on an anti-climax going back to work after this."

Stokes ended on 135 not out and was rightly awarded the man-of-the-match award.

His heroics kept England's Ashes hopes alive but he was well supported by Jack Leach (one not out) who stood firm with the help of some clean glasses. The series is now tantalisingly level after England’s one-wicket victory at 1-1, with two matches to play in the series.

England will have to win the series to regain the Ashes. The fourth Test starts at Old Trafford on September 4 and the fifth and final match starts at the Oval on September 12.