‘Pakistan k match sai phle sb ki form ati hai’ – Fans react as Ben Stokes smashes maiden World Cup century during England vs Netherlands match

England Test skipper Ben Stokes hammered the magnificent hundred during their eighth game of the ODI World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands on November 8 at MCA in Pune. Notably, the English set-up aims to win their second game of the marquee event to qualify for the Champions Trophy in 2025, slated to take place in the host country Pakistan.

Speaking about the game here, it was England skipper Jos Butter who won the toss and invited the Netherlands to field first. Notably, after being elected to bat first, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow was out for just 15 runs, while Joe Root was dismissed for 28 runs. However, left-handed batsmen Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes played a great role and forged a wonderful partnership to boost their innings.

Dawid Malan scored 84 runs from 74 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and two sixes, while great all-rounder Ben Stokes piled up 108 runs from 84 balls, featuring six sixes and six fours, with a slid strike rate of 129 that boosted their middle order in the game. Later, towards the end, Chris Woakes also got 51 runs from 45 balls, which helped them post 339/9 in the given 50 overs.

Ben Stokes played a fantastic knock: David Malan

Meanwhile, top-order batsman Dawid Malan has talked about his approach and partnership with Ben Stokes, which helped them post a huge total. “I think the Netherlands bowled well in the middle to restrict us and then Ben Stokes played a fantastic knock with Woakes to get us to a good score. Personally, I was like, ‘Oh no, not again, hopefully, we can get something going’ (at 178/5). But once again Stokes stood up when needed and got us to a score that we’re really happy with,” Dawid Malan said during the mid-innings break.

To be a good international cricketer and to do it for long periods, you have to be able to soak up the pressure when it’s needed. He soaks up the pressure unbelievably well and he’s able to transfer the pressure when needed. To be able to do that so consistently over his career is a fantastic trade,” he added further.

Check out how fans have reacted to his century: