In a stunning display of cricket prowess, Ben Stokes has etched his name in the annals of England’s one-day international (ODI) history. With a colossal score of 182 runs, Stokes decimated New Zealand’s hopes in a resounding 181-run victory for England at The Kia Oval. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record of 180 runs held by Jason Roy, a milestone established in 2018 against Australia in Melbourne.
Stokes, who had recently emerged from retirement to participate in this year’s World Cup, unleashed a relentless assault on New Zealand’s bowlers, peppering the boundaries with a whopping nine sixes and 15 fours during his 124-ball innings. His partnership with Dawid Malan, which added 199 runs for the third wicket, set a new England record in ODIs against the Black Caps. Malan’s contribution of 96 runs further solidified his place in England’s starting lineup for the upcoming World Cup in India.
Despite a late flurry of wickets that saw England lose six for 32 runs, they amassed a formidable total of 368. Stokes’ onslaught left Trent Boult, who claimed five wickets for 51 runs, with astonishing figures.
New Zealand, faced with the daunting task of chasing down this imposing total, stumbled to 37-4 early on, primarily due to a devastating three-wicket burst by Chris Woakes. Woakes exploited the favorable conditions expertly during his eight-over opening spell.
While Glenn Phillips fought valiantly, scoring 72 runs to extend the match, his dismissal after an lbw review to Liam Livingstone sealed New Zealand’s fate, as they were eventually bundled out for 187.
This victory catapults England into a 2-1 lead in the series, putting them in prime position to clinch the series with a win in the fourth and final match at Lord’s.
Ben Stokes’ ability to produce match-winning innings, despite his troublesome left knee, underscores his importance to England’s title defense in the World Cup. Whether it’s the 2019 World Cup final or the 2022 T20 World Cup final, Stokes has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to shine in high-pressure situations. Few can rival his ability to dispatch the ball to all corners of the ground, as he showcased on that overcast day at The Oval.
Although England initially faced adversity with the early dismissals of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, Stokes rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. While he initially struggled to find his rhythm, Stokes’ transformation was triggered by the introduction of left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra, against whom he launched three towering sixes. From there, he never looked back.
Stokes predominantly scored through the leg side and reached his fourth ODI century, his first since 2017, in a mere 76 balls, the quickest of his career in this format. Despite the loss of Malan, who was caught down the leg side, Stokes continued his assault, forming a brisk partnership of 78 runs in just 46 deliveries with captain Jos Buttler.
Stokes’ record-breaking innings culminated with a final maximum, where he dispatched a full toss from Ben Lister over long-on. The significance of this achievement was met with rapturous applause from the Oval crowd. Remarkably, Stokes had more than five overs remaining to potentially become the first England batter to reach 200 in an ODI. However, his quest for a double century was cut short when he miscued another Lister full toss, resulting in a catch at deep square leg.
Notably, the England ODI record has been shattered three times since 2016, with Alex Hales and Jason Roy achieving the feat before Stokes. The highest individual score in an ODI remains India’s Rohit Sharma’s staggering 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, while Charlotte Edwards holds the record for the highest score by an England woman in an ODI with her unbeaten 173 against Ireland in 1997.
In addition to Stokes’ heroics, Dawid Malan’s stellar performance and Chris Woakes’ incisive bowling added depth to England’s impressive showing. Malan’s consistency at the crease and Woakes’ ability to extract movement from the new ball were instrumental in England’s victory.
This electrifying match, illuminated by Ben Stokes’ fireworks, injected excitement into what could have been a routine encounter between two teams meeting for the seventh time in just 15 days. England now faces the prospect of securing the series win at Lord’s, with uncertainties surrounding Jason Roy’s availability due to a back spasm.
As the cricketing world applauds Ben Stokes’ extraordinary achievement, England’s ODI team is undoubtedly in high spirits, poised for further success on the road to the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cricket Triumph: Ben Stokes Record
Q: Who is Ben Stokes, and what record did he achieve in this cricket match?
A: Ben Stokes is an accomplished English cricketer known for his exceptional all-round skills. In this cricket match, he achieved the remarkable record of scoring 182 runs in an ODI (one-day international) against New Zealand at The Kia Oval. This record-breaking performance surpassed the previous highest individual score for an England batter in an ODI, which was 180 runs, held by Jason Roy.
Q: How did Ben Stokes manage to score 182 runs in this match?
A: Ben Stokes achieved this incredible feat through an aggressive and explosive batting display. He hammered nine sixes and 15 fours during his 124-ball innings. Despite a slow start, Stokes found his rhythm when he began to target left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra, hitting three massive sixes in one over. His ability to consistently find the boundaries, especially through the leg side, propelled him to a century in just 76 balls, his fastest in this format. Stokes’ innings showcased his exceptional ball-striking skills and determination.
Q: Did Ben Stokes have any significant partnerships during his innings?
A: Yes, during his innings, Ben Stokes formed a pivotal partnership with Dawid Malan, contributing significantly to England’s commanding total. Together, they added 199 runs for the third wicket, setting a new England record for ODI partnerships against New Zealand. This partnership played a crucial role in England’s total of 368 runs.
Q: How did the New Zealand team fare in response to England’s formidable total?
A: New Zealand faced a daunting task of chasing down England’s imposing total of 368 runs. However, they struggled early in their innings, finding themselves at 37-4. Chris Woakes, with his skillful bowling and the movement he generated, played a significant role in New Zealand’s early troubles. Although Glenn Phillips fought bravely and scored 72 runs, New Zealand could not build substantial partnerships, ultimately getting bowled out for 187 runs.
Q: What is the significance of this victory for England in the series?
A: This victory propelled England into a 2-1 lead in the series against New Zealand. With this advantage, England is now in a prime position to clinch the series win with a victory in the fourth and final match, scheduled to be held at Lord’s. The win not only showcased England’s batting prowess but also their ability to perform under pressure and maintain a competitive edge in the series.
Q: How does Ben Stokes’ record-breaking innings impact England’s prospects in the upcoming World Cup?
A: Ben Stokes’ record-breaking innings reaffirms his invaluable role in the England cricket team, particularly in the context of the upcoming World Cup. Despite his knee injury, which limits his involvement to batting only, Stokes’ ability to deliver match-winning performances, like this one, makes him a key asset for England’s title defense in the World Cup. His exceptional ball-striking and ability to rise to the occasion in crucial matches are qualities that England relies on for success in major tournaments.
Q: Are there any other notable records or achievements mentioned in this cricket match?
A: Yes, apart from Ben Stokes’ record-breaking innings, there were other notable mentions. Dawid Malan’s impressive performance, including his 96 runs, solidified his position in England’s starting XI for the upcoming World Cup in India. Chris Woakes’ outstanding bowling spell, which saw him pick up three crucial wickets early in New Zealand’s innings, was instrumental in England’s victory. Additionally, the text mentions that the England ODI record has been broken three times since 2016, indicating the evolving standards of performance in international cricket.
More about Cricket Triumph: Ben Stokes Record
- Ben Stokes smashes England ODI record with 182 against New Zealand – BBC Sport
- England vs. New Zealand 2023 series fixtures & results – ESPNcricinfo
- Cricket Records: Highest individual score in an ODI – ESPNcricinfo
- Dawid Malan’s ODI batting statistics – ESPNcricinfo
- Chris Woakes’ ODI bowling statistics – ESPNcricinfo
- The Kia Oval cricket stadium – Official website
