Ben Stokes found his mojo back only after England were out of reckoning for a World Cup semi-final berth.
However, all England can say is better late than never as Stokes’ 84-ball 108 played a pivotal role in snapping their losing streak and earning them a 160-run win over the Netherlands at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
Stokes’ century and Dawid Malan’s breezy 87 at the top were instrumental in powering England to 339/9 after they won the toss and opted to bat first. The Netherlands, thereafter, were never in the game as they folded for 179 with 76 balls remaining.
In the World Cup’s perspective, this was just a consolation win for the Englishmen. Yet, it matters to them, especially from the 2025 Champions Trophy point of view.
Alongside hosts Pakistan, seven other teams from the top eight of the ongoing showpiece will qualify for the Champions Trophy. England, for sure, will feel a little relieved having moved up to seventh in the standings following this victory.
Playing as a specialist batter in this World Cup, Stokes struggled for rhythm and was far from compact in his first three innings before scoring 64 against Australia last Saturday in Ahmedabad. On Wednesday though, a platform had already been laid by Malan when Stokes arrived at the crease.
But the all too familiar collapse happened once again as Stokes saw his team slipping to 192 with six wickets down in the 36th over from 133/2 in the 21st over.
However, Stokes brought his A-game into play, and with a good bit of assist from seamer all-rounder Chris Woakes (51) and of course, the inexperienced Dutch bowling, got England’s innings back on track.
Together, Stokes and Woakes, courtesy their array of big strokes, propelled England past 320 with their 129-run seventh-wicket stand. Completing his fifth ODI ton, Stokes was the last England wicket to fall, finishing with six boundaries and as many maximums.
It was then up to the English bowlers. The economical Woakes struck once, but his new-ball partner David Willey struck twice while tweakers Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid took three wickets apiece to help England get the job done quickly.
“I’m happy to get back to winning more than getting a ton. It has really been a tough World Cup,” Stokes, adjudged Man of the Match, said.