England vs New Zealand LIVE: Ben Stokes’ brilliant innings inspires England to victory in third ODI at the Oval
The four-match series is all square at 1-1 following England’s victory at the Ageas Bowl
England are looking to back up their impressive win at the Ageas Bowl with another victory over New Zealand when the two teams meet at The Oval this afternoon for the third one day international in this four match series.
Liam Livingstone was the star for England at Southampton, anchoring the innings with a wonderfully worked 95* from 78 deliveries in a rain-affected first innings. His heroics were needed after Trent Boult had earlier reduced England to 8-3 but Livingstone, backed up by decent knocks from Moeen Ali and Sam Curran saw the hosts up to 226-7.
In reply New Zealand lost constant wickets and could only muster 147 all out despite a fighting half-century from Daryl Mitchell. England’s win leaves this series delicately poised as the teams take to the field for the third ODI this afternoon with Jos Buttler hoping his top order batters rediscover their form ahead of the Cricket World Cup in October.
Follow all the latest live coverage of today's match in the live blog below:
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Sonia Twigg’s report from the Oval:
It should come as no surprise that Ben Stokes is capable of something special. But that does not detract from his record-breaking batting masterclass in the third ODI against New Zealand at the Oval as England won by 181 runs.
When England call, he answers. There are few better times to find exceptional form than on the eve of a World Cup, never mind that he has come out of ODI retirement just for the tournament.
It was only his third 50-over match since reversing his decision to retire from the format, and he was in exceptional form on his way to setting a new England record with 182 against New Zealand from 124 balls, as the hosts put on 368.
England will soon get on the plane to India, looking to defend the title they won in such memorable fashion back in 2019, and if anyone was in any doubt over Stokes’ ability to pick up immediately in a format he has not played since taking over the Test captaincy, they would be mistaken.
Ben Stokes breaks England record in dominant ODI win over New Zealand
Stokes bludgeoned 182 as England won the third ODI by 181 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Stokes on the knee: “Obviously I’ve been asked a lot about my knee, so I just said (I would get it sorted) but I knew that I would be playing in these games and potentially in the World Cup when I said that.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Stokes on the knee: “Obviously I’ve been asked a lot about my knee, so I just said (I would get it sorted) but I knew that I would be playing in these games and potentially in the World Cup when I said that.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Stokes: “I’d prefer not to go in that early because I want to see all the other lads at the top go well as well.
“I don’t think I’ve changed too much from when I used to play one day cricket. I think going out at number four I’ll continue to go out with exactly the same attitude I did at number five.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Stokes: “I think the most diffcult thing was how much time there actaully. there was a time when I was scoring freely and I felt like I wanted to keep going but realising how many overs you actually had that was the thing.
“Just realising how much more time I have - in Test cricket when I get on those kind of roles I’m usually batting with the lower order so I have to keep going.
“But this time we had lots of time left.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
On the apology to Roy: “I don’t think there was too much to it. Both of us we’re not too fussed about stuff like that I think.”
Stokes added: “I think this is the first time that I’ve been clear in my mind that that’s the one thing I can focus on, over the last 18 months it’s been ‘will I bowl, will I not bowl’ but now I can just focus on that and put all my energy into that.
“Having that clarity in my head contributes to that.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Ben Stokes: “I mean individual stuff like that not too fussed about but it’s good to come back in after a while out and put in a good contribution to us winning the game.
“I think today was good for me personally just to get familiarity again with how 50 over cricket goes. We start and we lose a few quick wickets and then to go out and put them under a bit of pressure. There was a couple of times I had to check myself when I looked up and there were still 23 or 24 overs left.
“You actually have way more time than you think. So I think from that game awareness, game smartness, today was good.”
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Ben Stokes sent out a World Cup warning to England’s rivals with a record-breaking 182 against New Zealand less than a month after reversing his ODI retirement.
Stokes, playing just his third 50-over match a year after walking away from the format, was in brutal form as he unloaded nine sixes and 15 fours on his way to the biggest score by an English batter.
The Test captain was England’s key man in 2019 and looks ready to reprise the role in India next month after blowing the one-day cobwebs away with a match-winning 124-ball innings that fired the hosts to 368.
Ben Stokes breaks England record in dominant ODI win over New Zealand
Stokes bludgeoned 182 as England won the third ODI by 181 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Just a reminder that these two players will face each other in the first World Cup match on October 5 in India.
England win by 181 runs v New Zealand at the Oval
Stay tuned for some reaction, quotes and the full match report from the match in south London.
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