Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder, scored his first fifty-over World Cup in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. His century was completed with a reverse sweep for a boundary off Paul van Meekeren’s delivery. After reaching the milestone, Stokes remembered his late father Gerard Stokes with a gesture and by looking at the sky. His father passed away in December 2020 due to brain cancer.
Stokes’ outstanding performance helped England secure a 160-run victory against the Netherlands. He scored 108 off 84 balls with six fours and six sixes. Dawid Malan contributed 84 off 74 balls, while Chris Woakes scored 51 off 45 balls. The Dutch spinner Teja Nidamanuru was the standout bowler with a three-wicket haul. In reply, the Netherlands were dismissed for 179, with England’s Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid each taking three wickets.
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