PUNE: Ben Stokes’ scintillating knock of 108 runs, paired up with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid’s bowling exploits steered England to thump the Netherlands by 179 runs in the ICC World Cup 2023.

The 160-run victory lifted England from the bottom of the table to the seventh place, enhancing their chances of Champions Trophy 2025 qualification. Set to chase a daunting 340-run target, the Netherlands’ batting unit unfolded for a meagre 179 in the 38th over. The Dutch side had a dismal start to their pursuit as they lost two wickets with just 13 runs on the board inside the first six overs. Opening batter Wesley Barresi then partnered with Sybrand Engelbrecht for the third wicket and added 55 runs to the total before the former got run out in the 18th over. He scored a cautious 37 in 62 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six. The Netherlands then lost two more wickets in quick succession, with their mainstay Engelbrecht also perishing, and consequently slipped to 104/5.

However, a 59-run stand between skipper Scott Edwards and Teja Nidamanuru kept them in the hunt before Moeen Ali spoiled their resistance by getting rid of Edwards, who scored 38 off 42.

Meanwhile, Nidamanuru stood his ground firm but lost partners at the other end as the Netherlands’ batting tail crumbled against the defending champions. He remained unbeaten with a gutsy 41. His 34-ball knock featured two boundaries and three sixes. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid led the bowling attack for England with three wickets each while David Willey bagged two.

England after winning the toss, lost opening batter Jonny Bairstow with 48 runs on the board in seven overs. Dawid Malan and Joe Root then knitted an 85-run partnership for the second wicket to push England’s total to 133 before the former was bowled through his legs by Logan Van Beek while attempting a reverse scoop. Ben Stokes came in at number four but in the next over, Malan was run out leaving England reeling at 133-2, which soon turned into 192-6 courtesy of Netherlands’ disciplined bowling. Malan played a blistering knock of 87 runs from 74 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and two sixes. Ben Stokes was joined by Chris Woakes and together they helped England recover by adding 129 runs for the seventh wicket before Bas de Leede removed the latter. Woakes scored 51 runs from 45 balls with the help of five boundaries and one six.

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes completed his maiden hundred in the World Cup before he was dismissed by Logan van Beek. Stokes top scored for England with 108 runs from 84 balls, featuring six boundaries and as many sixes. England’s innings ended at 339-9 in the allocated 50 overs. Bas de Leede topped the wickets for the Netherlands with figures of 3-74, meanwhile, Aryan Dutt and Logan van Beek added two scalps each to their tally.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 09 2023

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