On a sunny day at The Oval, England and New Zealand faced off in the third and final ODI of the series. England had already won the series, but both teams were eager to end on a high.
England won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts got off to a shaky start, losing opener Jonny Bairstow for a golden duck in the very first over. However, Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes steadied the ship, putting on a partnership of 150 runs for the second wicket.
Malan played a patient and composed innings, scoring 96 runs off 95 balls. Stokes, on the other hand, was his usual aggressive self. He smashed the New Zealand bowlers to all parts of the ground, scoring 182 runs off just 124 balls. His innings was laced with 15 fours and nine towering sixes.
Stokes’ knock was the highest individual score ever by an England player in ODIs. It also surpassed Jason Roy’s 180 as the highest individual score by any England player at The Oval.
Stokes’ departure in the 45th over triggered a mini-collapse, with England losing their last four wickets for just 26 runs. However, the hosts had already posted a mammoth total of 368 runs on the board.
In reply, New Zealand got off to a disastrous start, losing their top three batsmen inside the first 10 overs. Glenn Phillips provided some resistance with a valiant 72 runs off 76 balls, but he was the only New Zealand batsman to offer any real challenge.
England’s bowlers bowled with discipline and accuracy, taking regular wickets at regular intervals. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 187 runs in the 39th over, losing the match by a staggering margin of 181 runs.
Stokes was named the Player of the Match for his record-breaking knock. He was also awarded the Player of the Series award for his all-round performances throughout the series.
Analysis of the Match
England’s victory in the third ODI was a comprehensive one. They outplayed New Zealand in all departments of the game.
England’s batting was exceptional. Stokes’ record-breaking knock was the highlight of the innings, but Malan and Buttler also played important roles.
England’s bowling was also impressive. Woakes and Livingstone were the pick of the bowlers, but all of the England bowlers bowled with discipline and accuracy.
New Zealand, on the other hand, had a day to forget. Their batting lineup struggled to cope with England’s bowling attack, and their bowlers were unable to contain England’s batsmen.
The Significance of Stokes’ Knock
Stokes’ knock in the third ODI was one of the greatest individual performances in ODI history. It was a knock that defied all odds and helped England to a memorable victory.
Stokes’ knock was also significant because it came at a time when he was under immense pressure. He had retired from ODIs in July 2022, but he was persuaded to return to the team for the 2023 World Cup.
Stokes’ knock in the third ODI proved that he is still one of the best batsmen in the world. It also showed that he is capable of leading England to victory in the upcoming World Cup.
Impact of Stokes’ Knock
Stokes’ knock in the third ODI had a significant impact on both England and New Zealand. For England, it was a morale-boosting victory that gave them a lot of confidence ahead of the World Cup. For New Zealand, it was a humbling defeat that exposed some of the weaknesses in their batting lineup.
Stokes’ knock also had a significant impact on his own career. It was a reminder of his immense talent and potential. It also showed that he is still one of the most exciting batsmen in the world to watch.
Conclusion
England’s victory in the third ODI was a resounding one. It was a match that will be remembered for Stokes’ record-breaking knock and for England’s all-round performance. England will now be looking to carry this momentum into the World Cup, while New Zealand will be looking to bounce back from this defeat.
