England vs New zealand Cricket Match: A Spectacle of Skill and Sportsmanship

Table of Contents

The Heroic Triumph of England

“England achieved an impressive 368 runs, with Ben Stokes contributing 182 and Dawid Malan adding 96. Trent Boult took 5-51, and Lister managed 3-69. They secured a resounding victory over New Zealand by a staggering 181 runs.

Ben Stokes’ Remarkable Return

Any doubts about Ben Stokes’ readiness to return to 50-over cricket after 14 months away from ODIs vanished at the KIa Oval. He scored a century in just 76 balls and went on to achieve an English record of 182 runs off 124 balls, setting the stage for a convincing win over New Zealand.

The Stokes and Malan Show

Stokes came to the crease early, with England struggling at 13 for 2 in the third over against Trent Boult’s swing. However, he formed a remarkable third-wicket partnership with Dawid Malan, contributing 199 runs in 165 balls. Stokes launched a ruthless attack on Lockie Ferguson, taking 56 runs off the 30 balls he faced from him. Overall, Ferguson conceded 80 runs in his nine overs.

Stokes’ Dazzling Display

Stokes began his innings with a flurry, aggressively charging down the pitch and moving outside leg stump to create space for shots on the off side. When Ferguson came into the attack, Stokes, with only 13 runs from 19 balls, immediately took him on, hitting three boundaries in four balls, one of them via a thick leading edge, in the second over of Ferguson’s spell.

A Symphony of Sixes

That was the turning point for Stokes, and from there, he maintained a similar tempo to his performance during the Ashes earlier that summer. He mixed singles with calculated swipes into the stands. Notably, an audacious sortie, characterized by a skip down the wicket and a majestic arc, culminated in an electrifying catch in the second tier of the Pavilion, off the hapless Glenn Phillips.

Stokes’ Knee Injury

Unfazed by a persistent knee ailment, Stokes embraced an unyielding approach. He smashed nine sixes, including six in his final 31 deliveries at the crease. When he was caught attempting a tenth six, the crowd stood to applaud the hero of England’s 2019 World Cup victory, believing he could inspire another title win in India.

Stokes Reflects

Stokes said, “It’s good to come back after a break and make a significant contribution to our win today. It was important for me to get used to 50-over cricket again. We lost a few wickets quickly, and I wanted to put pressure on the opposition. There were moments when I had to be patient because we had more time than I initially thought.”

Managing His Knee

Stokes took a break at the start of New Zealand’s innings but assured everyone that his knee was improving. He explained, “Test matches are longer, and you get breaks, but one-day games are relentless. It’s different, but these first three games have been positive.”

New Zealand’s Struggles

New Zealand’s attempt to chase down 369 runs quickly turned into a mere practice session. Chris Woakes bowled eight consecutive overs from the Pavilion End, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 31. Glenn Phillips, with a career-best 72, was the only New Zealand batter to cross 30 runs as they were bundled out for 187.

England’s World Cup Squad Takes Shape

Stokes stole the show, but this game also clarified England’s World Cup squad. With Jason Roy unavailable for a third consecutive ODI due to back spasms, Dawid Malan, returning from paternity leave, seized the opportunity. His 96 off 95 balls was his second half-century of the series and his ninth 50-plus score out of 20 in ODIs.

Malan’s Resurgence

Malan seemed like the extra batter when England announced their 15-man squad a month ago. However, after being dropped by Trent Rockets in the Hundred and a shaky T20I series, Malan’s spot looked more secure, especially with Harry Brook, initially left out, making a strong case.”