In a remarkable performance, Ben Stokes achieved the highest individual score ever by an England player in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), amassing an impressive 182 runs off just 124 balls during the third match of the series against New Zealand at The Oval.
Stokes surpassed the previous record held by Jason Roy, who scored 180 against Australia in Melbourne back in 2018. His explosive innings, featuring nine sixes and 15 fours, ranks as the 24th highest individual score in the history of 50-over cricket.
Stokes' exceptional performance highlighted the importance of his return to ODI cricket, as England prepares to defend their ICC Cricket World Cup title in India next month. England's innings had a shaky start, with the team at 13-2 after 16 balls following the dismissals of Jonny Bairstow (0) and Joe Root (4) by Trent Boult. However, a remarkable 199-run partnership between Stokes and Dawid Malan (96 off 95 balls) shifted the momentum, with Malan narrowly missing out on his fifth ODI century.
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Stokes eventually departed, caught by Will Young at square leg off a delivery from pacer Ben Lister. This triggered a collapse, and England was all out for 368, adding just 20 runs after reaching 348-5. Trent Boult was the standout bowler for New Zealand, finishing with impressive figures of 5-51.
The series stands at 1-1 as of now, with the final match set to take place at Lord's on Friday. Unfortunately, Jason Roy missed the game due to a recurring back spasm, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming World Cup. Harry Brook, a potential replacement, was left out of the team to accommodate Dawid Malan's return, who had missed the second ODI due to the birth of his son. New Zealand also had to make changes, as spinner Mitchell Santner was sidelined due to a knee injury sustained during the second ODI, which England won by 79 runs to level the four-match series.