The compulsive need to accelerate, England’s all-or-nothing batting ideology and their restlessness to get going had consumed the top order once again this World Cup as they were reduced to 192/6 from 133/1 against the Netherlands in their low-key penultimate game.
Given how swiftly things can go downhill for them, Ben Stokes had no choice but to bite back his own impulse, stabilise, scratch around before the onset of the final Powerplay to play the saviour. And after five straight losses, it was a must-win game for England’s 2025 Champions Trophy aspirations.England eventually defeated the Netherlands by 160 runs after posting 339/9 but Stokes had landed psychological blows on the Oranje team, with his six sixes in the last eight overs showing there was reward for those who bided their time. Stokes’ first-ever World Cup century (108 off 84) was a sign of grit in the aftermath of the defending champions being knocked out of contention.
So precious is Stokes’ presence in the England team across formats that there were calls from back in England to ration his utility – whisk him back home away from this doomed Cup for an unavoidable knee surgery to get him ready for the Tests against India. But Stokes, English cricket’s spiritual leader, was not going to leave his men in the lurch.
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