Ben Stokes’ record-setting century was the driving force behind England’s devastating 181-run victory against New Zealand in the third one-day international that was played on Wednesday. With this victory, England took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series that was played at home.
Stokes, who came out of retirement to play one-day international cricket just one month ago, smashed 182 runs off 124 balls to set a new record for England’s greatest individual score in the 50-over format. His score surpassed the previous record held by Jason Roy, who had scored 180.
After being called into bat at The Oval, the test captain of England scored an entertaining knock that included nine sixes and 15 fours, which contributed to the home team’s total score of 368.
“Coming back into the team after a while out, it’s nice to come back and help the team,” Stokes said. “Coming back into the team after a while out.”
“We discussed the importance of exerting pressure on New Zealand, particularly at the top. You want to be showing the men that they should go out there and do it as the experienced players, don’t you?
New Zealand, who were left with a mountain to climb, caved under the pressure in the chase and were bowled out for 187, with Glenn Phillips’s dogged 72 being the highest score for them. Rachin Ravindra (28), who was the only other hitter, was the only one to score more than 20 runs.
Will Young, Henry Nicholls, and Tom Latham were three of the most important batsmen for New Zealand, and Chris Woakes was the England bowler who took their wickets. England had five bowlers take wickets, but Woakes was the one who stood out. In addition, Liam Livingstone picked up three wickets, and Reece Topley got two of them.
“We were aware that we needed to bat well. The manner in which they bowled during the first ten overs, creating movement in the air and off the surface. According to the captain of the New Zealand team, Latham, “we were unable to build partnerships.”
When Trent Boult took the wicket of Jonny Bairstow with the very first ball of the match, it appeared as though England was going to suffer the same fate as they did in the second one-day international (ODI).
When Joe Root inside-edged a drive onto the stumps two overs later, Boult struck again, putting England in an even more precarious position than they were before.
But with their backs against the wall, Stokes and Dawid Malan put up a huge 199-run partnership, which was broken up when Malan was out for 96 after feathering a catch to Latham off Boult. Stokes and Malan finished the innings with a total of 199 runs.
Once Stokes holed out to square leg, England’s tailenders were easily swept up by Boult and Ben Lister. Stokes also formed partnerships with Jos Buttler and Livingstone during the match.
“I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. Buttler, the captain of England, remarked that there is more potential for his team to achieve higher heights. “There’s more in the tank.”
Boult finished the game with the statistics of 5-51, which was his sixth five-wicket haul in one-day internationals. As a result of Adam Milne’s injury, Lister was drafted into the lineup, and he promptly picked up three wickets for the side.
On Friday, the last one-day international match of the series will be contested at Lord’s. In light of the fact that both teams are currently preparing for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India, this series is of the utmost importance.