England's prolific all-rounder Ben Stokes made a striking comeback to ODI cricket, shattering records and earning accolades from teammates. Fresh off his reversal on retirement, Stokes delivered a stunning 182-run innings against New Zealand, setting England's highest-ever score in ODIs.
Chris Woakes, another key figure in the English cricket setup, was effusive in his praise for Stokes. Speaking post-match, Woakes remarked, "We obviously see Ben as this superhuman that can do incredible things. We know he can. It was great for the group and brilliant for Ben too. He's an unbelievable cricketer but coming back into the team having retired, it will do his confidence a world of good."
With a remarkable display of skill and power, Stokes showcased his cricketing prowess, scoring 182 runs from 124 balls. His scintillating innings, peppered with 15 boundaries and nine sixes, not only thrilled the audience at the Oval but also set the stage for England's comprehensive victory over the Kiwis.
Woakes further highlighted the significance of Stokes' innings for the entire team, saying, "We always have doubts and performance anxieties at the best of times, so it's great for his confidence and great for the team's confidence and belief that we can post huge scores. It was amazing to be here and play in the game because that was an incredible knock. He struck it cleaner than anyone else out there. It just shows how good a player he is."
Stokes' record-breaking score surpassed the previous ODI highest for England, held by Jason Roy at 180 runs. As New Zealand took to the crease chasing a daunting 369 runs, they struggled to find their rhythm, with Glenn Phillips offering some resistance with a gritty 72-run effort. However, apart from Rachin Ravindra's contribution of 28 runs, no other New Zealand batsman managed to surpass the 20-run mark, culminating in their dismissal for a mere 187.
With performances like these, the England cricket team continues to make waves in international cricket, with Ben Stokes further cementing his place as one of the game's greats.
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