Ben Stokes’ (84-ball 108) enterprising maiden tonne powered England to a 160-run victory against the Netherlands in the 40th match of the World Cup at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
This long-awaited win put an end to England's five-game losing streak, although their hopes of reaching the semi-finals had long faded. However, their second victory in the 10-team tournament kept alive the possibility of a top-eight finish, securing their spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
England found themselves in a precarious position at 192-6 after yet another batting collapse, but Ben Stokes' heroic knock of 108 and a valuable 51 from fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes propelled them to a competitive total of 339-9 in their allotted 50 overs.
The Netherlands, in their pursuit of the target, were never in contention, crumbling to a total of 179 all out within 38 overs. England's bowlers, led by Woakes and David Willey, struck early with the new ball, while spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid chipped in with three wickets each.
Ben Stokes, dealing with a persistent knee injury, compiled a fifty with patience, requiring 58 deliveries, and then accelerated his scoring rate, reaching his fifth one-day international century in just 20 additional balls. In the final, he was eventually dismissed for 108.
The Netherlands always faced an uphill battle to chase down the daunting target of 340, particularly as a non-Test side that had previously defeated England twice at the T20 World Cup but had struggled in their ODI meetings.
After the match, Stokes expressed his relief, stating, "I'm more pleased for us to get a victory over the line; it's been a tough World Cup." He also praised Chris Woakes, highlighting his all-round skills and contribution with both bat and ball.
England's win was highlighted by Dawid Malan's aggressive 36-ball fifty and an array of boundaries. However, England faced some hiccups during their innings, losing wickets at crucial junctures.
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and led from the front, but they lost key wickets, including Joe Root, who was bowled in an unconventional manner. Despite a few setbacks, Ben Stokes' outstanding century, aided by Woakes, guided England to a formidable total.
The Netherlands began their chase with early setbacks and couldn't recover, eventually succumbing to England's bowling attack. While some batsmen reached the 30s, they couldn't build substantial partnerships.
In the end, England's all-round performance secured them a much-needed victory and breathed new life into their campaign, allowing them to aim for a top-eight finish in the tournament.
