Ben Stokes achieved an impressive milestone in a one-day international match, propelling England to a commanding 181-run victory over New Zealand at The Kia Oval.
Stokes’ exceptional innings of 182 outshone the previous highest score by an England batter in ODIs, which was Jason Roy’s 180 against Australia in Melbourne back in 2018.
In only his third ODI appearance since emerging from retirement to participate in this year’s World Cup, Stokes exhibited his prowess by taking on the New Zealand bowlers. During his 124-ball stay at the crease, he smashed an impressive nine sixes and 15 fours.
At the beginning of the match, England found themselves in a precarious situation at 13-2. However, Stokes found a reliable partner in Dawid Malan, and together they forged a record-breaking partnership of 199 runs for the third wicket. This partnership set a new England record for the highest partnership against New Zealand in an ODI. Malan’s noteworthy contribution of 96 further solidified his place in the starting XI for the World Cup in India.
Despite a late-game stumble that saw England lose their final six wickets for just 32 runs, they managed to accumulate an imposing total of 368 runs. Given the destruction caused by Stokes, Trent Boult’s bowling figures of 5-51 were commendable.
New Zealand, tasked with achieving the highest successful ODI run chase in England, faced difficulties from the outset and was reduced to 37-4. Much of this credit goes to Chris Woakes, who orchestrated a brilliant three-wicket burst during his eight-over opening spell.
While Glenn Phillips displayed commendable resilience and managed to score 72, his dismissal through an LBW decision on review to Liam Livingstone marked the beginning of New Zealand’s downfall. Eventually, they were dismissed for a total of 187.
Following this victory, England took a 2-1 lead in the series, with the opportunity to secure the series win in the fourth and final match scheduled at Lord’s on Friday.
Ben Stokes, despite grappling with a persistent left knee injury that restricts his World Cup involvement to batting only, continues to prove his mettle with remarkable innings like the one witnessed in this match. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver powerful strokes remains a valuable asset to England’s World Cup campaign.
Stokes initially faced some challenges in finding his rhythm during his innings. However, once he settled in, he displayed aggressive batting, especially against left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra, where he unleashed three consecutive sixes, setting a new milestone. He reached his fourth ODI century, which happened to be his quickest century in this format, accomplished in just 76 balls.
Stokes’ dominance didn’t stop there; he went on to achieve a remarkable score of 182 before narrowly missing out on what could have been England’s first double-century by a batter in an ODI. Nevertheless, his record-breaking performance left a lasting impact.
It’s worth noting that the current record for the highest individual score in an ODI is held by India’s Rohit Sharma, who scored 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2014.
While Ben Stokes undoubtedly stole the limelight, contributions from Dawid Malan with the bat and Chris Woakes with the ball were vital to England’s victory. Malan’s impressive innings and Woakes’ early breakthroughs paved the way for Stokes’ remarkable performance.
Despite frequent encounters between the two teams in recent times, this match showcased the brilliance of Stokes and injected excitement into the series. England’s victory positions them favorably as they look ahead to the World Cup.
In the absence of Jason Roy due to a back injury, Dawid Malan seized the opportunity to exhibit his batting prowess, further cementing his place in the team. However, Joe Root’s recent struggles with the bat raise concerns for England.
In conclusion, Ben Stokes’ extraordinary performance and England’s comprehensive triumph over New Zealand underscore the team’s potential in the upcoming World Cup. Stokes’ ability to thrive under pressure remains a significant asset, and England’s strength in both batting and bowling makes them a formidable contender in limited-overs cricket.
Click here: https://truereviewmagazine.com/
