It was a comprehensive 160-run victory on Wednesday for England over the Netherlands in the ongoing ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in which they won for the second consecutive time.
After chasing a target of 340 runs, the Dutch bowlers were unable to establish any solid partnerships and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, which led to them being bowled out in the 38th over for 179 runs.
With six losses and two wins in the points table, England is ranked seventh in the standings and looking to secure a qualifying spot for the Champions Trophy in 2025 with today’s victory.
In another development, England’s faltering champions were rescued from another collapse when Ben Stokes scored a maiden century during the World Cup to help them make 339 for nine.
After winning the toss, Stokes struck 108 off 127 deliveries to take England’s score to 300, only England’s second individual century in the tournament. It was Stokes’ 108 that contributed to England’s second individual century of the tournament.
In spite of this, he and Chris Woakes (51), together with a seventh-wicket stand of 129, helped turn the tide after they were all on 192 for six before putting together the win.
In the preceding seven group games that England had played, only one of their games had been won.
As for the Netherlands, they were also participating in the tournament despite being a non-test nation – however, together with South Africa, they had won two matches in the tournament.
With his left-handed batsman Dawid Malan leading the way for England, the left-handed batsman scored a 36-ball fifty, 40 of which were scored by way of boundaries, to complete England’s overall victory.
However, England lost two wickets in quick succession with Joe Root being bowled between his legs by Logan van Beek as he attempted to reverse scoop and fell for 28 in a bizarre fashion while trying to reverse scoop.
As he neared the second century of his tournament, Malan – who was getting close to his second century of the season – was run out who had gone for a needless single after having been sent back by Stokes.
It was England captain Jos Buttler who gave away his wicket, followed by Moeen Ali who also fell in single figures pretty easily.
It was a tough chance for Stokes, who was dropped in the deep while facing spinner Aryan Dutt, and survived a tight lbw review before hitting sixes with the no-ball and the ensuing free-hit from the spinner.
In addition to his six off De Leede, Stokes also had another six, this one a straight drive into the 90s.
Against paceman Paul van Meekeren, he smashed a reverse sweep four to give him an innings high of 100 from 78 balls, which resulted in five sixes in his innings.
As England scored 124 runs in the last 10 overs, Woakes and Stokes, who were both out in the last over, played a dominant role, with van Beek having a nightmare return of 2-88.
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