Ben Stokes Shines with Career-High 182 Runs

With a career-high 182 runs scored, Ben Stokes, who just made a comeback to One-Day International cricket for England in the forthcoming 50-over World Cup in India, delivered a fantastic innings. This was vital in England’s victory against New Zealand in the third and final ODI at The Oval in London. The Kiwi team, captained by Tom Latham, made the decision to bowl first, and they got off to a great start, holding the home team, led by Jos Buttler, to 13 runs for two wickets. Following that, Ben Stokes and David Malan’s 199-run partnership for the third wicket won the game for England, allowing them to reach a respectable total of 368 runs in 48.1 overs.

The Black Caps’ reply total of 187 runs in 39 overs was capped. With this victory, England now leads the four-match series 2-1 with ease.Ben Stokes has surpassed Jason Roy’s 180 against Australia in 2018 to score the most runs for England in the short format. He has had a great start to his second spell as the opening batter with this. The cricket matches in India are expected to start early next month.

Although New Zealand’s bowlers got off to a strong start, England’s upbeat attitude prevented them from regularly getting wickets. Although Trent Boult’s 5-wicket haul kept England to under 370, their quick run-scoring ensured that they never truly had the upper hand. Reece Topley (2 wickets for 31 runs), Chris Woakes (3 wickets for 31 runs), and Liam Livingstone (3 wickets for 16 runs) provided superb bowling support, especially Reece Topley’s pivotal performance with 2 wickets for 31 runs, helping England secure a 2-1 series lead.

During the post-match ceremony, Ben Stokes, who was named Player of the Match, remarked, “I’m incredibly happy. I regret passing Jason (Jason Roy, who currently holds the record for England’s highest-ever individual score). We discussed defeating New Zealand. We tried to keep a positive attitude in spite of the strain and early wicket losses. “Once we got ahead, we didn’t want the bowlers to settle,” he continued. We need to mentor the younger players as the more seasoned athletes. Malan is a high-caliber, consistently reliable performer. He rotates the strike nicely, but a foot problem prevented him from reaching a century. I feel a lot better now. Even though test matches are a little longer, one-day matches are unquestionably easier.

Buttler, the captain, added, “I’m absolutely happy with the performance. We discussed tossing with more aggression.David Malan and Ben Stokes worked together brilliantly to bring us back. We can keep raising these standards. There is still a lot to come. A true show unfolded. England does things this way.” He continued, praising Stokes’ magnificent innings, “Stokesy’s innings was magnificent. Every time David is given the chance, he excels. His beginning was just as strong as what Woakes and Topley offer. I’m ecstatic right now. The most crucial factor was their hostile purpose. We appear to be moving in the right way.

The fourth and final game will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Friday, September 15. For the first time in this format since the 2019 ODI World Cup final, both nations will play against one another at a prestigious location.