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Stokes surpassed the previous record set by Jason Roy, who scored 180 against Australia in Melbourne back in 2018. This outstanding innings also ranks as the 24th highest individual score in the history of 50-over cricket. Stokes’ exceptional performance included nine sixes and 15 fours, showcasing his extraordinary batting prowess.
This incredible innings reaffirmed why England were eager to bring Stokes out of ODI retirement, especially with the team’s upcoming campaign to defend their Cricket World Cup title in India next month.
Despite a shaky start, with England at 13-2 after just 16 balls following the quick dismissals of Jonny Bairstow (0) and Joe Root (4) by Trent Boult, Stokes, along with Dawid Malan (96 off 95 balls), orchestrated a magnificent partnership of 199 runs for the third wicket. Together, they sent New Zealand’s bowlers on a wild chase all around the ground.
Malan came up just short of his fifth ODI century when he was caught behind off Boult after Stokes had reached his fourth hundred in 93 innings. He surpassed his previous best ODI knock of 102.
Stokes’ eventual dismissal, caught by Will Young at square leg off a full toss from pacer Ben Lister, precipitated a collapse by England from 348-5 to being all out 22 balls later for the addition of just 20 runs.
Boult had impressive figures of 5-51.
The series is tied at 1-1
Roy missed out again for England after having another back spasm hours before the match. The opener missed the first two games with the same problem and could now be a doubt for the World Cup starting in three weeks.
Harry Brook, who is pushing to replace Roy or another batter in the World Cup squad, dropped out of the team to accommodate the return of Malan, who missed the second ODI after his wife gave birth to their son on Saturday.
New Zealand left out spinner Mitchell Santner after he jarred his knee fielding in the second ODI, which England won by 79 runs to square the four-match series that ends at Lord’s on Friday.
(With AP Inputs)
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