Stokes keeps England’s Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive

Pune — England snapped their five-match losing streak at the World Cup on Wednesday, as a century by Ben Stokes set the tone for a 160-run victory over the Netherlands that kept his team’s Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive.

The Netherlands got off to a sluggish start chasing 340 as England reduced them to 104/5 midway through the innings before they eventually folded for 179 in 37.2 overs.

Wesley Barresi (37), Sybrand Engelbrecht (33), skipper Scott Edwards (38) and Teja Nidamanuru (41 not out) all got starts but the Dutch were unable to keep the momentum going in the face of some superb spin bowling.

Adil Rashid claimed 3/54 while spin partner Moeen Ali bagged 3/42 with seamer David Willey chipping in with 2/19.

Stokes earlier hit an 84-ball 108 for his first World Cup century, while Dawid Malan (87) and Chris Woakes (51) smashed half-centuries as beleaguered England’s batting clicked into gear again to post 339/9 in 50 overs at Pune’s MCA Stadium.

The outgoing champions, who are chasing a top-eight finish to secure a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, raced to 70/1 for their highest power play score in the event after Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat.

Malan did much of the early damage blasting 10 fours and two sixes and looked set for a big score before being run out due to a mix-up with Stokes, shortly after Joe Root (28) was bowled out in comical fashion attempting a reverse scoop.

The Dutch stemmed the flow of runs with wickets, removing Harry Brook and an out-of-form Buttler, but Stokes rode his luck after being dropped by Aryan Dutt on 41 and hit six fours and six sixes in a seventh-wicket stand of 129 with Woakes.

Reuters