Stokes back with a bang with half-century

LONDON: Ben Stokes shook off any rust following an enforced break with his 11th ODI half-century as he guided England to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the second game of their five-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui yesterday.

Stokes only made his return to international cricket in the first match in Hamilton on Sunday after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September led to him being charged with affray and being stood down by selectors. He entered a plea of not guilty on February 13.

The 26-year-old scored 63 not out and combined with captain Eoin Morgan (62) in an 88-run partnership as the visitors cantered to 225/4 in 37.5 overs to level the series 1-1.

Stokes also claimed two wickets and was responsible for one of New Zealand’s four runouts as the hosts were bowled out for 223 with two balls remaining.

The total, however, was never enough for the powerful England batting line-up even if Jason Roy and Joe Root both failed to get into double figures. Morgan, dropped on 27 by wicketkeeper Tom Latham and then Henry Nicholls at midwicket on 40, brought up his 35th half-century before he hit a return catch to Colin Munro.

“We wanted to come back strong after the defeat in the first game,” said Man of the Match Stokes. “We thought we let ourselves down in the first game and the lads showed that with the intensity in the field.

“It’s good to get out here and train and implement it in the games. I wanted to make sure I was in the end and it was a good stepping stone.”