Arise, Sir Ben Stokes? The Englishman has returned to the same format of the game from which he sparked knighthood talks after a masterful knock against New Zealand in the thrilling ICC World Cup 2019 final. Announcing his return in the 3rd One Day International (ODI) of the bilateral series between the 2019 World Cup finalists, Benjamin Andrew Stokes played a blinder of a knock to help England recover from a precarious situation.
Rewriting history in the penultimate clash of the ODI series between the two World Cup contenders, Stokes slammed a blistering century to lead England’s fightback against the Kiwis at the Kennington Oval in London. Stokes notched up his first century in the 50-over format since 2017. The England Test captain also recorded the highest partnership (for any wicket) with teammate Dawid Malan for the reigning world champions against the Black Caps.
Stokes and Malan script partnership record against Kiwis
Stokes and Malan have surpassed Eoin Morgan and Joe Root’s memorable stand of 198 against New Zealand in Nottingham in 2015. While Stokes smashed the fastest century of his ODI career, England’s Malan (96) missed out on his ton as the star batter was dismissed by Trent Boult in the 32nd over. Stokes brought up his century in just 76 balls as England recovered from 13-2 to end up posting a challenging total against New Zealand.
Stokes breaks England’s record for highest ODI score
Stokes’ century is the 12th fastest of the 63 ODI centuries scored by full-member nation players in 2023. Stokes’s fourth ODI ton was also his first century since his retirement reversal. The Englishman completed his century in the 29th over bowled by Glenn Phillips. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar hammered 11 fours and three sixes to complete his century in just 76 balls. Stokes has returned to the England ODI side for the World Cup in India. The 32-year-old had retired from the 50-over format after England played South Africa at Chester-le-Street last year.
Turning his quick-fire century into a record-breaking knock, Stokes slammed the highest individual score for England in the 50-over format. Stokes passed the 180-run mark to rewrite history in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand. Stokes surpassed Jason Roywho had smashed 180 against Australia in 2018. Stokes played an entertaining knock of 182 from 124 balls in which he fired 15 fours and smoked nine sixes.
