England All-Rounder Ben Stokes who is mainly operating as a Specialist Batsman in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, scored his maiden Full century of the quadrennial event earlier today at Pune. Stokes scored 108 runs off 84 balls against Netherlands as England posted 340 as the target in match no. 40.
Both of the teams are more or less playing for pride and for the automatic 2025 ICC Champions Trophy slot. And today is England’s 2nd last chance to ensure their participation for the event at Pakistan. If they defend this total tonight, the Three Lions will have to battle it out against the host nation themselves who are also in a must win situation.
Ben Stokes becomes the first England player to score 10,000+ runs and pick 100+ wickets in international cricket. pic.twitter.com/aX1BkWGgRq
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 8, 2023
A good news for England before the Pakistan clash at Eden Gardens on November 11 is that Ben Stokes even if for the last few matches has found his form after a lot of hard work and woes this World cup. He missed World cup’s opening 3 matches against New Zealand (L), Bangladesh (W) and Afghanistan (L).
He return to the English playing XI against South Africa in a 229-run loss in which Stokes scored just 5. In his 2nd CWC outing, Stokes scored 43 in a 8-wicket loss followed by a Duck against India where England were folded for 129.
Brilliant 💯 by Ben Stokes against Netherlands #ENGvsNED #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/uGcAYx9aUd
— Shahbaz Blouch (@ShahbazBlouch56) November 8, 2023
Then against Australia, Ben Stokes worked really hard to set his eyes and spent valuable time in the crease, scoring 64 off 90 balls but England fell short by 33 runs in their chase of 287 runs.
His hard work well and truly paid off earlier today against Dutch opponents at Pune. He took his time to settle in the middle but as soon as he was set, there was no stopping the Christchurch born Cricketer. Stokes looked in full flow and swung his Bat to score 6 Fours and Sixes each.
Even though Netherlands did not have much firepower in their bowling attack, Stokes must have enjoyed himself, scoring 108 off 84. It does put him in a positive zone heading into the next clash against Pakistan.
