Ben Stokes smashed New Zealand by 182 runs at Kia Oval to become the highest score by an England batsman in one-day internationals.
Stokes’ brutal 182 beat England’s previous best of 180. Which set by Jason Roy against Australia in Melbourne in 2018.
In just his third ODI since coming out of retirement to play in this year’s World Cup. Stokes damaged New Zealand’s bowling with nine sixes and 15 fours in his 124-ball stay.
Reaching 13-2, Stokes added 199 for the third wicket with David Mullan. England’s record ODI partnership against the Black Caps.
Malan’s 96 did enough to cement his place in the starting XI for the World Cup in India.
Despite losing their last six wickets for 32 runs, England scored 368 runs.
After facing their most successful chase in an ODI in England, New Zealand were soon in disarray at 37-4. Thanks mainly to a three-wicket burst from Chris Woakes, who took eight overs.
Glenn Phillips scored 72 to prolong the match. But New Zealand bowled out for 187 after Liam Livingstone was caught lbw on review.
England have a 2-1 lead in the series which they can clinch with a victory in the fourth and final match at Lord’s on Friday.
Ben Stokes gives England the lead
Even with a sore left knee that will limit his participation in the World Cup to batting only. It is Stokes’ ability to play the kind of innings that has helped England as part of their title defense in India.
England were in trouble after Jonny Bairstow fell on the first ball of the match and Joe Root dragged to the bolt, only for Stokes to respond in record-breaking fashion.
It was actually Malan who was the catalyst for England’s recovery, with the opener timing the ball sweetly square from both sides as Stokes struggled for fluency.
Often hacking away at the ball, Stokes did not score a run in the first six balls and had just 12 from his first 18 deliveries.
It was the introduction of left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra that jolted Stokes into life. Three sixes were hit over deep midwicket, Ravindra scored 28 runs in just two overs and Stokes never looked back.
Scoring almost exclusively from the leg side. Stokes scored his fourth ODI century off 76 balls and his first since 2017, his fastest century in the format.
Although he lost Malan, caught down the leg-side on Boult’s review. Stokes added 78 off 46 balls with skipper Jos Buttler.
Stokes brought up his 150 by stumping off-spinner Phillips at Guy’s corner. And hit the same bowler with a powerful straight into the second tier of the pavilion.
The left-hander set the record for his last maximum by hitting a full toss at the pace of Ben Lister over long-on.
The Oval crowd didn’t immediately appreciate the significance of the moment. But responded with thunderous applause when Stokes’ success was announced on the big screen.
With more than five overs of the innings to go. Stokes had time to become the first England batsman to reach 200 in ODIs.
However, after improving on Roy’s mark in two balls. He mistimed another luster full toss and was caught by Will Young at deep square leg.
After Robin Smith held England’s ODI record for 23 years with 167 in 1993. It has now been broken three times since 2016, first by Alex Hales, then Roy, now Ben Stokes.
The highest score by a batsman in ODIs is 264 by India’s Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2014.
Former captain Charlotte Edwards set the record for the highest score by an England woman in an ODI with an unbeaten 173 against Ireland in 1997.