(Image Source: ICC)
[Saba Sports News] England faced the Netherlands in Match 40 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on November 8th at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. England’s captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat first.
Opening batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan put up 48 runs for the first wicket before Bairstow was dismissed by Aryan Dutt in the seventh over. Joe Root replaced him and contributed to an 85-run partnership with Malan, but Root’s attempt at a reverse scoop shot ended in a bizarre dismissal between his legs by Logan van Beek. Root’s struggles in the World Cup continued as he managed only 28 runs from 35 balls, with a tournament average of 27 and a strike rate of 90.
After Root’s dismissal, Malan was also out for 87 runs from 74 balls. Ben Stokes then played a remarkable innings, scoring his first ODI World Cup century with 108 runs from 84 balls. He received valuable support from Chris Woakes, who scored 51 runs from 45 balls. This partnership propelled England to a total of 339/9 in their allotted 50 overs.