England’s flamboyant all-rounder Ben Stokes was in a beast mode against New Zealand in the 3rd ODI. It looked as if Ben Stokes wanted to make a statement that he is not done yet in the ODI format after taking a U-turn and playing the format as the all-rounder had taken retirement from the format in 2022.
Ben Stokes toyed with the New Zealand’s bowlers and played attacking brand of cricket. Stokes played a helluva of knock of 182 runs in 124 balls and struck 15 fours and 9 huge sixes. Ben Stokes’ resurgence at the top of the order means that there is no added responsibility on the skipper Jos Buttler who could take his time and play his natural game.
Stokes was timing the ball sweetly and played a massive role in posting the mammoth total of 368 runs. The left handed batter got ample support from Dawid Malan who played a fluent knock of 96 runs in 95 balls and struck 12 fours and 1 six.
Ben Stokes an Asset
England cricket team’s management aren’t making Stokes bowl which may be a precautionary move as the cricketer is quite injury prone. Stokes would be somewhat disappointed as he missed out on his maiden double ton and surprisingly he had struck only 3 centuries prior to the ton against New Zealand in the 3rd ODI.
England registered a dominating victory of 181 runs and said that they are not a team who just participates. There was carnage when Ben Stokes was at the crease as he not only played classy shots but funky as well as all the variations were proving to be ineffective.
New Zealand’s star pacer Trent Boult would be unhappy despite picking up a 5 wicket haul as he couldn’t get the priced wicket of Stokes earlier and if he had taken then Kiwis would have been in ascendancy. Trent Boult looks as if he is on a mission to win the ODI WC 2023 as the pacer has worked on his pacer as well as on line & length and is looking lethal than ever.
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