Ben Stokes scores delightful ‘daddy’ hundred, first since ODI comeback

England and New Zealand are currently playing the third ODI of a four-match series at Kennington Oval in London. The series is intriguingly poised at 1-1. The Kiwis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Their talismanic seamer Trent Boult once again got them off to a sensational start as he dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root in his first couple of overs.

However, the left-handed duo of Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes combined to form an epic 199-run partnership off 165 balls to take the home side to a position of strength. Malan played second fiddle to Stokes, who took the New Zealand bowlers to the cleaners. England’s Test captain got to his half-century off 44 balls. He took just 32 more deliveries to get to the three-figure mark. This was his fourth ODI century and also his fastest in the format.

Malan was watchful but he also played at a run-a-ball. He was well on course for his fifth ODI century but his knock ended on an unfortunate note when he tickled one through to the keeper while attempting a flick off Boult. The southpaw’s innings ended on 96 off 95 balls.

Ben Stokes gets past 150

The hunger and zeal in Ben Stokes is not unknown to the cricketing world. After notching up his fourth ODI hundred, the star all-rounder didn’t show any signs of complacency as he continued hitting the New Zealand bowlers all around the park. In the process, he scored his first 150-plus score (182 off 124 balls) in ODI cricket off just 106 balls. A half-century in the first ODI and this epic knock in the third game should give Stokes and England fans a lot of confidence with the 50-over World Cup less than a month away. The 32-year-old took a U-turn on his ODI retirement ahead of this series to play in the marquee event where England will look to retain their title.

Let’s take a look at how ‘X’ users reacted to Ben Stokes’ innings and his partnership with Dawid Malan:

Current favourite of VIRAT KOHLI

BEN STOKES 🔥#benstokes #ViratKohli #stokes pic.twitter.com/nUearOFkzi

— DEFINITELY NOT (@DEFINITELY_NO7) September 13, 2023

Brilliant innings by Ben Stokes. Deserved the 200. Just shows how difficult it is to score one, especially for non opener. pic.twitter.com/HZZZEhyn8t

— Foko 𝕩 (@whyfokowhy) September 13, 2023

All time favorite All rounder ❤. #BenStokes #GOAT𓃵 #ENG pic.twitter.com/8LXQxGjlTQ

— Timshal Ali (@timshal_tweets) September 13, 2023

Ben Stokes is the bravest Batsman, the bravest Captain and a proper all-rounder, all-in-all the Bravest Cricketer of this decade. #BenStokes #ENGvsNZ

— Jokerrr (@jokerrr2_0) September 13, 2023

Give this man two proper knees & fully fit legs he will do the most freaky things you will ever see in the cricket field. #ENGvNZ #NzvEng #Benstokes #EngvsNz #NzvsEng pic.twitter.com/6ememS1vkE

— Akash (@akash_idiot) September 13, 2023

World cup year 🤝 ben stokes 🦁#EngvsNz

— @iamkevalkavad (@kavad_keval) September 13, 2023

#ENGvsNZ
Dawid Malan & Ben Stokes’ P’ship 199(165b).

— Sanjeewa K. (@SanjeewaKUK24) September 13, 2023

#EngvsNz
Oh! Malan 😔

— Rahul 🏏 🇦🇺 (@rahul_vnr32) September 13, 2023

#ENGvsNZ
Jinxed it. Malan is OUT caught. 🤦 https://t.co/2fkAw6Hr50

— Sanjeewa K. (@SanjeewaKUK24) September 13, 2023

England are just different Beasts in ODI🤡🤡

The runrate after early wickets.
Austrailia and England Looking set for wc#EngVsNz

— H.. Babar Azam broke me forever💔💔 (@Lifezweirdz) September 13, 2023

Ben Stokes came out of retirement in ODIs and scored a ton against New Zealand #ENGVsNZ

— Antragya Mahajan (@AntragyaMahajan) September 13, 2023

STOKES CARNAGE MODE ON #ENGVSNZ

— Mohit Sharma (@Krishnamohitt) September 13, 2023

He came when england in trouble 2 wicket fall for just 13 and now he make partnership of 2 hundred runs with dawid malan..

His 4Th hundred in ODI cricket 🔥🔥🔥🔥#NZvsEng #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/W0Bezm3veW

— Jamal (@JamalMeer8) September 13, 2023

The moment when Ben Stokes reached his hundred. #Benstokes #engvsnz #CWC2023 #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/xSFiEXjPV0

— cricket fan club🏏 (@tuffan44) September 13, 2023

Hundred for Ben stokes in just 76 Balls🔥🔥

What A comeback to ODIs For Ben stokes. Really a crazy knock 💥#Benstokes #EngvsNz #ODI #NzvsEng #Malan #JosButtler #England #INDvsSL #INDvPAK #ViratKohli #Virat #Pakistan #PakvsInd #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/zBd1kJj1YK

— Ajay Kaswan (@AjayKaswan66907) September 13, 2023

Welcome back to ODI cricket, Ben Stokes 💯❤️. #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/bViPnbbGls

— Narsireddy Yaggonu (@YaggonuNarsi) September 13, 2023

Very good from Stokes so far .. came in after a mini top order collapse , kept the positive intent on while not taking undue risk and now accelerating.. and so so calm and solid from Malan again #EngvsNZ

— Madhumita Gupta (@docmadhu82) September 13, 2023

MALAN GOES FOR 96…!!!!
Deserved a 100 really.
Well Played DAWID MALAN♥️♥️#ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/IGoYpd0bcK

— Akshat Goyal (@AkshatG63316497) September 13, 2023