Former Test paceman Geoff Lawson knows first-hand how a talented, fiery England all-rounder's extraordinary Headingley century can transform an Ashes campaign.
Lawson was playing for Australia as Ian Botham delivered one of the all-time great counter-attacking hundreds at the Leeds ground in 1981 to turn that Ashes series on its head.
Botham's century sparked England to an almost incomprehensible win, having gone into the third Test at Headingley also trailing 1-0.
It's a scenario with some similarities after Ben Stokes' amazing match-winning century against Australia at the same venue on Sunday.
However, Lawson is confident Australia still hold the upper hand in the current series and can ensure it doesn't end up being labelled "Stokes' Ashes", as the 1981 series is known as "Botham's Ashes" after England went on to triumph 3-1 then.
"England were really outplayed for all but the 40th wicket of the match," said Lawson of the just-completed third Test.
"Australia, who played some really good cricket for all three Test matches will feel that they're probably behind, but the Test series is still one-all and Australia still have the upper-hand.
"England still have to win the series to win the Ashes.
"If you can step back in the cold light of day, Australia have still very much got the advantage."
The potential return of champion batsman Steve Smith and introduction of well-rested paceman Mitchell Starc for the final two Tests will boost Australia's dented spirits, Lawson believes.
He's also claimed Stoke's remarkable 135 not out has a strong argument to be viewed as a better innings than Botham's.
While Botham delivered his unbeaten 149 off 148 deliveries in the third innings of the match, it still took a haul of 8-43 by England paceman Bob Willis to secure England's come-from-behind win.
Lawson says Stokes triumphing from a 76-run last wicket partnership with Jack Leach, to which England's No.11 contributed one run off 17 deliveries, to keep the 2019 Ashes alive was much higher stakes than Botham faced.
"England had to bowl and batting fourth in 1981 the wicket was still doing plenty on that occasion," Lawson said.
"This was nine-down - you're within one mistake of not just losing the Test match but losing the Ashes as well. It was genuinely everything on the line.
"To do it with a number 11, who we know got 90-odd as a nightwatchman so he's no rabbit, but for him (Leach) to be one not out from that score it's just phenomenal stuff."
Australian Associated Press
