Last Updated: November 09, 2023, 00:01 IST
PUNE, India: England snapped their five-match shedding streak on the World Cup on Wednesday, as a century by Ben Stokes set the tone for a 160-run victory over the Netherlands that saved his crew’s Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive.
The Netherlands acquired off to a sluggish begin chasing 340 as England lowered them to 104-5 halfway by way of the innings earlier than they ultimately folded for 179 in 37.2 overs.
Wesley Barresi (37), Sybrand Engelbrecht (33), skipper Scott Edwards (38) and Teja Nidamanuru (41 not out) all acquired begins however the Dutch had been unable to maintain the momentum going within the face of some very good spin bowling.
Adil Rashid claimed 3-54 whereas spin accomplice Moeen Ali bagged 3-42 with seamer David Willey chipping in with 2-19.
The win lifted England off the underside to seventh within the 10-team standings with 4 factors, above Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Dutch on web run charge. All groups now have a sport remaining.
Stokes earlier hit an 84-ball 108 for his first World Cup ton whereas Dawid Malan (87) and Chris Woakes (51) smashed half-centuries as beleaguered England’s batting clicked into gear once more to get them to 339-9 in 50 overs at Pune’s MCA Stadium.
“I’m more pleased for us to get a victory, to be honest,” stated man-of-the-match Stokes. “Tough World Cup and it’s nice to get back on winning terms today.
“It was (a typical Pune pitch). It was a nice wicket to bat on. The only thing was just on back of a length a bit of tennis-ball bounce. I tried to take it deep as I possibly could and cash in at the end.”
The outgoing champions, who’re chasing a top-eight end to safe a spot within the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, raced to 70-1 for his or her highest powerplay rating within the occasion after Jos Buttler received the toss and opted to bat.
Malan did a lot of the early harm blasting 10 fours and two sixes and appeared set for a giant rating earlier than being run out because of a mix-up with Stokes, shortly after Joe Root (28) was bowled out in comical trend trying a reverse scoop.
The Dutch stemmed the stream of runs with wickets, eradicating Harry Brook and an out-of-form Buttler, however Stokes rode his luck after being dropped by Aryan Dutt on 41 and hit six fours and 6 sixes in a seventh-wicket stand of 129 with Woakes.
England added 124 within the final 10 overs to complete strongly.
“We were absolutely desperate for the win. Malan got us off to a bit of a flier. We hit a speed bump in the middle but, the partnership from Stokes and Woakes was fantastic,” stated Buttler.
“We needed someone to stand up and take charge and Stokes seemed to be the guy to do that. We’re delighted to have him in the team and out there in that situation. Smart cricket between him and Woakes to get us to a good score.”
Edwards stated they’d let England off the hook.
“It’s obviously disappointing. We didn’t start well with the ball and we let them get away from us,” Edwards stated. “I thought the bowlers did really well to drag it back and again they got away from us at the end to settle with just above par.”
The Netherlands dropped to tenth place however are nonetheless within the hunt for a Champions Trophy spot and face unbeaten India subsequent in Bengaluru, a match that Edwards stated they had been relishing.
“It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere. The boys are looking forward to it,” he stated.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
