ENG vs NED: Ben Stokes’s 108 helps England keep Champions Trophy hopes alive with 160-run win over Netherlands

Ben Stokes was the star of the show in Pune as his 108 powered England to a 160-run win as they snapped their five-game losing streak against the Netherlands.

The win was only England’s second in the World Cup 2023 campaign as the defending champions were knocked out after their loss to Australia in the previous. Nevertheless, both teams had the chance to keep their Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive.

England had got off to a flying start thanks to Dawid Malan as he started off his innings with three boundaries against Logan van Beek in the second over of the match. Jonny Bairstow failed to make an impact with the bat but Malan was in prime form and brought up his fifty in 36 balls.

Malan and Root had England in a strong position before the latter tried his trademark ramp shot and was nutmegged and bowled by Van Beek for 28. The score was 133 for two at that time, but England started to lose their way, with Malan being run out seven runs later.

Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali failed to make any sort of impact in the game and England were reeling at 192 for six with Stokes and Woakes at the crease. The duo would stitch together a 129-run stand which saw Stokes score his maiden ODI World Cup hundred off just 78 balls.

Woakes also complimented the 32-year-old with an aggressive 51 as England piled on 124 runs in the final 10 overs and posted a challenging 339 runs in their 50 overs.

The Netherlands chase got off to a very slow start as they lost Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann cheaply and had a very slow first powerplay. Wesley Barresi and Sybrand Engelbrecht would steady the ship for the Netherlands with a 54-run stand, giving them some hope with a few lusty blows.

Barresi’s wicket would slow things up once again with the score at 68 for three and Engelbrecht would follow 22 runs later. Bas de Leede also failed to make an impact with the bat as Netherlands were 104 for five and staring down the barrel.

Scott Edwards and Teja Nidamanuru would once again steady the innings for the Dutch, but after the skipper fell, the floodgates were opened and Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali ran through the tail as both men picked up three wickets each.

The Netherlands lost their last five wickets for 16 runs and were bundled out for 179 in the 38th over.

England will now have to beat Pakistan in their final match in Kolkata on Sunday to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions Trophy qualification. England also moved to seventh on the points table and pushing Netherlands to the bottom.