Ben Stokes is hailed as a ‘modern day legend’ by England fans on social media after his superb catch dismissed Australia captain Pat Cummins

Cricket fans have taken to social media to laud England captain Ben Stokes after his catch on day Two of the fifth Ashes Test. 

Australia narrowly surpassed England by 12 runs, finishing their first innings at 295 all out ahead of day three. 

Having completed his 100th catch in Test cricket earlier in the day, Stokes provided a dramatic final act on Friday evening. 

He produced a superb boundary catch to dismiss Australia captain Pat Cummins for 36. Stokes first caught the ball, threw it back in the air and jumped back in to take the catch. 

Cricket fans took to social media to heap praise on Stokes, with some predicting that he will soon be knighted.  

Cricket fans have taken to social media to laud England captain Ben Stokes after his catch

Stokes produced a superb boundary catch to dismiss Australia captain Pat Cummins for 36

One fan wrote: Ben Stokes will be given knighthood soon. He will be praised as the modern day legend of England cricket second to Alastair Cook

Another tweeted: ‘Is there anything Ben Stokes can’t do??? That catch was absurd.’

A third fan struggled to see any weaknesses in Stokes’ game as he said: ‘Ben Stokes captain fantastic. The man who can do absolutely everything to perfection on a cricket field’. 

‘YOU HAVE NOT DONE THAT BEN STOKES’, wrote a fourth supporter while a fifth fan tweeted: ‘A casual bit of fielding brilliance from Ben Stokes.’

The fifth Test remains in the balance after the compelling battle, with England looking to level the series.