Ben Stokes hit the greatest one-day international score by an England batsman on Wednesday, blasting a blazing 182 as the hosts piled up 368 against New Zealand at The Oval. Fast bowler Trent Boult kept New Zealand in the game with an amazing return of 5/51 in 9.1 overs on either side of his incredible innings. When Stokes was dismissed, England was on track for a massive total of 348-5. However, they lost their final five wickets for 20 runs, with Boult finishing the innings with 11 balls to spare. England trailed 13/2 after Boult’s early double strike in the third of a four-match series.
But Stokes, who only just reversed his ODI retirement in preparation for the 50-over World Cup in India next month, turned the tide spectacularly. The left-handed batter’s 124-ball knock, which included 15 fours and nine sixes, broke Jason Roy’s previous England record of 180 against Australia in Melbourne in 2018.
Stokes, whose previous ODI highest score was 102 not out, gained strong support from Dawid Malan (96) in a third-wicket partnership of 199. Earlier, Boult caused havoc for an England top-order that was missing Roy due to a new back spasm. Jonny Bairstow nicked him off his pads with his first ball, but the catch was brilliantly taken by a leaping Devon Conway. After that, Boult had Joe Root (4) inside-edge a drive into his stumps.
Malan then steadied the innings with a 52-ball fifty as he attempted to clinch his position in England’s final 15-man World Cup team. Stokes achieved the milestone in 44 balls, scoring 15 runs off a single Lockie Ferguson over, including three fours, despite the paceman’s 94 mph.
In the absence of the injured Mitchell Santner, Test skipper Stokes punished New Zealand’s spinners. He was especially harsh on Rachin Ravindra (0/28 in two overs), lifting him for three massive sixes. Stokes reached 150 as the sun came out in south London, smacking occasional off-spinner Glenn Phillips for six over midwicket. He broke Roy’s record with a six off Ben Lister, only to hole out two balls later, sparking England’s collapse from 348-5 to 368 all out. England won the match by 181 runs to take a 2-1 lead.
Stokes fell just short of breaking Viv Richards’ world record for the greatest individual score in ODI cricket playing at number four or below. Viv owns the record with a best score of 189, while Stokes surpassed Ross Taylor, Ab de Villiers, and Kapil Dev to take second place.
