‘He left his ego aside’ – Former India player lauds Ben Stokes for his magnificent knock against Netherlands

Mohammad Kaif has praised Ben Stokes for setting aside his ego and achieving a century in England’s league-stage match against the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup. Stokes recorded a score of 108 runs from 84 deliveries, establishing a challenging 340-run target for the Dutch in Pune on Wednesday.

The English bowlers subsequently dismissed Scott Edwards and his team for 179, securing a convincing 160-run victory and maintaining their chances of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Both Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali were the stars of the show for the England bowling lineup with three wickets each to their names. Speaking on Star Sports, Kaif said that the star allrounder played a brilliant innings as he left his ego aside.

“He [Stokes] left his ego aside. If you talk about the Lucknow match, he was trying to do Bazball against Mohammed Shami, that he is a very big player and will play shots. He played 10 balls and got out for zero. Then he reached Ahmedabad. There he played 90 balls, gave respect, grinded it out, got his form, and scored a century today. So he learned from the embarrassment in Lucknow, that he has to respect good balls and the conditions,” the former India player said.

Stokes was bowled by Shami without scoring a run, attempting to create space for a big shot in England’s match against India. The southpaw then compiled a composed 64 runs off 90 balls against Australia and continued with a responsible century in the game against the Netherlands.

Stokes put a price on his wicket and played cautiously: Kaif

Mohammad Kaif pointed out that Ben Stokes initiated his innings with traditional strokes. The former cricketer turned commentator concluded by noting that even the most exceptional players must show respect for the game. Stokes began his innings by playing conventional cricketing shots, saving the unconventional ones for later. He achieved his century, capping it off with a reverse sweep.

“He did that today, played cautiously at the start, and took his time. He got gifts later and received full tosses, it was a free hit, you get that, but he put in the effort at the start. He spent time at the crease and played proper straight drives. He played proper cricketing shots and the unconventional shots came later. He reached his century with a reverse sweep. It shows that you might be a great player but cricket is bigger than you. You have to keep your head down and play, and he showed that by doing it in today’s knock,” Kaif concluded.

Also read: https://cricketbook.news/england-cricket-team-won-their-eighth-game-of-the-odi-world-cup-2023/