England Vs New Zealand: In a dazzling display of cricketing prowess at the Kia Oval, Ben Stokes emphatically silenced any doubts about his return to 50-over cricket after a 14-month hiatus. The star all-rounder smashed an incredible century off just 76 balls and went on to set a new English record with a monumental 182 runs off 124 balls, guiding England to a resounding victory over New Zealand.
Stokes entered the fray in the third over with England struggling at 13 for 2 against the swinging deliveries of Trent Boult. However, he quickly turned the tide of the match by forging a formidable partnership of 199 runs in 165 balls with Dawid Malan. Stokes particularly targeted Lockie Ferguson, plundering 56 runs off the 30 balls he faced from him, denting Ferguson's figures with eight boundaries.
His innings began in a frenetic fashion, as he aggressively took on Ferguson, displaying audacious strokes and powerful hits. Stokes' onslaught continued as he mixed calculated singles with audacious swipes that sent the ball soaring into the stands. His shot selection and execution were a spectacle, with one highlight being a stunning skip-down-and-swing shot off Glenn Phillips that landed in the second tier of the Pavilion.
Despite battling a knee injury, Stokes opted to stand and deliver, treating the audience to nine spectacular sixes, six of which came in his final 31 balls. His heroic innings was met with a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd, reminiscent of his pivotal role in England's 2019 World Cup triumph. Fans now hope he can replicate such heroics in India for England's title defense.
Reflecting on his performance, Stokes modestly acknowledged the impact of his return, saying, "It's good to come back in after a while out and put a big contribution into us winning the game. Today was good for me personally, just to get familiarity again with how 50-over cricket goes."
Stokes added, "I didn't really know [about the record] until the bloke on the tannoy announced it - then I got out next ball... realizing how much more time I had."
New Zealand's attempt to chase down England's imposing total of 369 quickly unraveled. Chris Woakes played a pivotal role with his eight-over spell that yielded three crucial wickets, effectively sealing the game for England. Glenn Phillips, who scored a commendable 72, was the lone bright spot in New Zealand's batting lineup as they folded for 187.
While Stokes dominated the headlines, this match also offered clarity on England's World Cup squad. With Jason Roy sidelined due to injury, Dawid Malan seized the opportunity, making a strong case for his inclusion with a splendid knock of 96 off 95 balls. Malan's performance signaled his readiness to contribute to England's quest for World Cup glory, putting his initial squad omission into perspective.
