Star England allrounder Ben Stokes has announced his arrival in one-day internationals. After making a comeback from retirement, Stokes has been phenomenal in the ongoing New Zealand series. In the third ODI of the series, Stokes hammered a magnificent century and helped the hosts win the game.
Stokes, in his blistering innings, scored 182 runs off just 124 balls with the help of 15 fours and nine sixes. With his amazing batting performance and a 199-run stand with David Malan Stokes, he changed the momentum of the game. He charged all the Kiwi bowlers and toyed with them. His innings are also special because of the situation in which they were crafted.
When Stokes came to bat, English batters were crumbling against Kiwi pacer Trent Boult. He dismissed Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow within the first three overs and turned the game in favour of the visitors. However, Stokes and Malan had some other plans as they worked together to change the momentum. Malan, in his innings, scored 96 runs off 95 balls with the help of 12 fours and a six. With their batting performances, England posted a massive total of 368/10 in 48.1 overs.
Trent Boult failed to win the game for New Zealand
Apart from Stokes’ and Malan’s batting performances, one more thing stood out: Trent Boult’s bowling performance. When other Kiwi bowlers were being hammered, he dismantled the English batting line-up with his fiery bowling performance. Boult clinched five wickets, including those of Root, Bairstow, and Malan. He broke the 199-run partnership between Stokes and Malan and helped the Kiwis avoid more damage.
However, despite his bowling efforts, New Zealand batters failed to hold their nerves and fell 181 runs short of the target. Allrounder Glenn Philips was the highest run scorer with 72 runs off 76 balls, with the help of five fours and two sixes. For England, Chris Woakes and Liam Livingston took three wickets each, while Reece Topley got two scalps. With this victory, England registered an invincible lead of 2-1 in the ongoing four-match series.
Here is how fans reacted to Ben Stokes’ batting performance:
Rohit sharma fans: pic.twitter.com/F6ufAgJuuq
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) September 13, 2023
Truly eligible to play as batter alone in upcoming World Cup. No Doubt.
— The Contest Guy (@BoliMocr) September 13, 2023
No words for this type of batting…. pic.twitter.com/SI3SW0lkqs
— Pathik Joshi? (@pathikj80) September 13, 2023
BEN STOKES, WHAT A KNOCK…!!!
England 13 for 2, Stokes started the innings slowly with 13*(19) and then the show stealer started doing wonders & smashed 182 runs from just 124 balls including 15 fours & 9 sixes. pic.twitter.com/Kyox01BYCK
— ? ? ? ? ? ?ç?????? (@i_am_juari) September 13, 2023
Greatest all-rounder of all time ???
— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) September 13, 2023
Ben Stokes Can play as a Pure Batsman / Bowler/ Fielder Missed Well deserved 200!!???
— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) September 13, 2023
Brilliant knock by #BenStokes..an inning to remember
— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) September 13, 2023
I was expecting double century…
Great batting— Patel ? (@Patelshyd) September 13, 2023
This is scary
— Finch Academy Of Ducks (@Academyofducks) September 13, 2023
Missed 200 milestone ??
— Gyani Khopdi (@gyaniKhopdi) September 13, 2023
