STOKES CITY
CRICKET Big Ben rules Brum with ton Aussies blasted out of Trophy
BEN STOKES was hailed by friend and foe alike as he bludgeoned the Aussies out of the Champions Trophy with a truly brutal show in Birmingham.
The all-rounder was drowning in praise from his own skipper Eoin Morgan and his opposite number Steve Smith with Edgbaston rocking to the tune of ‘Cricket’s coming home’.
Stokes cracked an unbeaten century after launching a superb fightback with his captain as England won a rain- affected match.
A magnificent 159-run stand between the duo was the highlight of the day as the hosts wriggled free from the tourists’ grasp.
England were reeling at 35-3 when the pair came together, chasing a below-par total of 278.
But with Morgan (87) lashing the ball to all parts and Stokes seeing out the match to the bitter end, a 40-run victory was secured courtesy of Duckworth-Lewis.
Morgan said: “We know where he is as a cricketer. The IPL auction proved that. His potential is through the roof.
“Ben is always looking to influence the game. He takes a lot on his shoulders. Towards the end of their innings, he took on two overs and they are the most difficult.
“He saves a lot of runs at midon. And then he came into a difficult situation where a lot of guys would be backed into a corner. His hitting was very relaxed and clean. His batting was exceptional. He’s always looking to influence the game.” Even Smithmith could not avoid paying tribute, ribute, saying: “He’s a fantasticantastic player who’s getting betteretter and better whether it’s with the ball or in the field.
“And when he’s in that sort of f mood with the bat, he’s hard too stop.”
It was also pleasing to report that hat England had turned the tables ables on the visitors with the ball all too.
Flying
Quickie Mark Wood ( right) took 4- 33 and Adil Rashid, 4-41, kept the he brakes on after the Aussies got off to a flyingying start, five wickets falling alling late on for 15 runs in n 26 balls.
Only a few lusty blows from rom Travis Head pushed the total to respectability. But if Head thought that was creditable,creditab then both he – and a record 25,000 cr crowd in England’s second city – were merely b being warmed up for the main even event. T The result had been in the balance when J Josh Hazlewood and MitchellM Starc caused h havoc with the white ba ball. Betwe Between them they trapped a an out-of-sorts Jason Ro Roy bang in front of his o own stumps, caused A Alex Hales to nick off and Joe Root was then caugh caught behind. With E England three down, the stage was set for a coll collapse. But af after a short rain delay, M Morgan’s men emerg emerged revitalised and when the skipper crashed the first two balls through the covers, the fightback was on.
Eighty- seven minutes later, when the captain was brilliantly run- out by Adam Zampa following an horrendous midpitch mix-up, the punters were on their feet.
They had seen a magnificent display of power-hitting that had simply broken the Aussies. Over a century of it coming in boundaries.
Majestic
The f un was delayed temporarily when Morgan was caught out of his ground by a direct hit from Zampa.
But then Jos Buttler joined in the fun.
Stokes rolled up his sleeves and made it to his century. A majestic exhibition that included 13 fours and two sixes from 108 balls.
The rain came to spare the Aussies any more punishment. But for Stokes and England it was a job well done.