THE STUDY ONLINE
Ben Stokes’ remarkable performance in his comeback match after 14 months in ODI retirement
Stokes’ century off 76 balls, highest score by an Englishman in ODI (182 off 124), and the setup for a crushing victory over New Zealand
Stokes and Malan’s third-wicket stand worth 199 in 165 balls. Stokes’ attack on Lockie Ferguson, looting 56 runs off 30 balls faced from him
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Stokes’ Batting Style: Frantically charging down the pitch, playing over the off side, and hitting boundaries. Stokes’ nine sixes and calculated swipes, including a second-tier catch off Glenn Phillips
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Stokes’ impressive comeback and his potential role in the World Cup squad : Stokes as a potential inspiration and a crucial player for England’s successful title defense
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New Zealand’s nominal chase turning into middle practice. Chris Woakes’ key role, finishing with 3 for 31, and New Zealand folding for 187
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Dawid Malan’s return from paternity leave and his impressive performance - Malan’s second half-century of the series, ninth 50-plus score out of 20 in ODIs, and potential partnership with Bairstow
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England’s plan to free themselves up and be more positive and aggressive - Malan and Stokes respond accordingly with a 100-run stand in 15.1 overs and attacking the new ball.
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England’s inability to convert their platform into a 400-plus score - Buttler’s brief sparkle, Stokes’ dismissal triggering a slide of 5 for 20, and Boult’s sixth ODI five-for
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New Zealand’s Batting Collapse: New Zealand’s top and middle-order batsmen failing to make an impact. Early wickets by Woakes, Curran, and Livingstone, and Phillips’ futile attempt to salvage the innings
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