Ben Stokes has etched his name in cricket history with an astounding performance, breaking the record for the highest score by an England batter in a one-day international (ODI). In a breathtaking display of power and skill, Stokes hammered his way to a remarkable 182 runs against New Zealand at The Oval.
Breaking the Previous Record
The previous record of 180 was held by Jason Roy, achieved during a match against Australia in Melbourne back in 2018. Stokes, who had taken a temporary break from one-day cricket, made a triumphant return for this series, aiming to make a significant impact ahead of the upcoming World Cup in India later in the year.
A Spectacular Comeback
In only his third match back, Stokes played an electrifying innings that propelled England to a total of 368 runs, positioning them strongly to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. When Stokes took the crease, England found itself in a precarious situation at 13-2. However, he turned the game around with his explosive performance.
Stokes’ Explosive Innings
During his innings, Stokes cleared the boundary ropes nine times and found the fence with 15 powerful boundaries. His partnership with Dawid Malan, who contributed 96 runs, yielded a remarkable 199 runs – an England record for any wicket against New Zealand in ODIs.
Stokes didn’t start aggressively, failing to score off his first six deliveries. However, as he settled into his innings on a batting-friendly pitch, he began to dominate. He reached his century from just 76 balls and surpassed 150 with a colossal hit over the cow corner.
The Record-Breaking Moment
As he approached the record, Stokes had a nervous moment when he survived an lbw review on 160 while attempting a reverse-hit. Ultimately, he etched his name in the record books with a towering shot for maximum, securing the highest score by an England batter in ODIs.
Falling Short of 200
Despite the possibility of reaching 200, Stokes fell short when he mistimed a delivery, sending it to deep square leg, where Will Young took the catch. The crowd at The Oval erupted in applause when the announcement was made on the big screen, acknowledging Stokes’ historic achievement.
Historical Comparisons
While Stokes’ 182 is a remarkable feat, it’s worth noting that the highest score in an ODI remains Rohit Sharma’s 264 for India against Sri Lanka in 2014. Charlotte Edwards holds the record for the highest score by an England woman in an ODI, with her unbeaten 173 against Ireland in 1997.
His explosive performance not only secured a vital victory for England but also highlighted his prowess as one of the world’s premier all-rounders. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will eagerly await his future exploits, especially in the upcoming World Cup.