UPDATE 1-Cricket-Reaction to England's dramatic win in third Ashes test

Reaction after Ben Stokes's unbeaten 135 earned England a thrilling one-wicket victory in the third Ashes test to level the series against Australia at 1-1 on Sunday.

England captain Joe Root: "Ben Stokes is a freak, he's incredible. 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." Australia captain Tim Paine:

"Ah look, it happens mate. 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." England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was named man-of-the-match:

"I never gave up. 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 it at the end. I couldn't watch the balls going down."

England's tail-end hero Jack Leach, who finished unbeaten on one from 17 balls: "Are you expecting to get some sense out of me right now?

"I got off the pitch and then thought, 'What has Ben Stokes just done?' I was running towards him after he hit the winning runs and it was the best feeling ever." Former England all-rounder Ian Botham:

"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.

"He is very, very valuable to cricket -- not just England, he will sell the game worldwide. He should enjoy every moment. It was a really remarkable performance." Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott on Twitter:

"I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I've seen in over 50 years. "@benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance."

Former England captain Nasser Hussain: "It will test the mental toughness of the Australian side.

"What England need to do in the next couple of games makes them think, 'Crikey, I wish we'd done some things better at Headingley.'" Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who led the 2005 Ashes-winning team:

"That is massive for Joe Root. I've been in that situation where your team is really struggling. This is his time to try and win an Ashes series on home turf. "All England captains need a great all-rounder. I had Andrew Flintoff. Mike Brearley had Ian Botham. And Joe Root has Ben Stokes."

Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne: "Stokes is one of those guys who you want in the trenches with you; he's one of the guys who train harder than I've ever seen anyone train.

"He's an amazing cricketer and special talent. But when the opportunity presents itself you still have to take it." England fast bowler Jofra Archer on Twitter:

"This is by far the most intense game I've ever seen in my life." Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath on BBC's Test Match Special:

"What a class cricketer Ben Stokes is. Amazing with the bat, ball and in the field. Is there a better all-rounder in the world right now?" Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers on Twitter:

"That was pretty special! @benstokes38, that was ridiculous! Well done. Ashes alive and well." Former Australia bowler Brad Hogg on Twitter:

"@benstokes38 most valuable player in the world game today. Brilliant performance. Hats off to you." Former England soccer international Gary Lineker:

"If you're not into cricket, you have my utmost sympathy."

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)