On this day in 2017: Ben Stokes takes England home against AUS in Champions Trophy
Ben Stokes has been among the best all-rounders going around in the world circuit at the moment and he has played some valuable innings throughout his international career. The 31-year-old recently took up the leadership for England in the Test format against New Zealand and has started his stint as captain with a win. On this day (June 10) in 2017, Stokes played a match-winning knock against Australia to help his side to victory.
England opted to bowl first after winning the toss and Warner was dismissed early for a 25-ball 21. Aaron Finch and Steve Smith put on a 96-run partnership for the second wicket and Finch was dismissed for a well-made 68. Smith (57) and Moises Henriques (17) followed him soon and the Aussies were down to 181 for 4. However, Travis Head played a fantastic knock with an unbeaten 71 to take his side to a good total of 277 despite not getting enough support from the other end.
In reply, England were in a spot of bother having lost their top three batters Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Joe Root quickly for just 35 runs on the board. However, the skipper Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes stitched a 159-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which dragged back the home side into the game again.
Morgan played a counter-attacking innings of an 81-ball 87, which included eight fours and five sixes; however, he was dismissed in the 32nd over. Stokes then joined hands with Jos Buttler and the former kept finding the boundaries from one end.
In fact, Stokes went on to reach a magnificent century under crucial circumstances and the rain stoppage meant that England were ahead by 40 runs at the 41st over mark by DL method. Stokes remained unbeaten on 102 off 109 deliveries with 13 fours and two sixes while Buttler helped him with a 32-ball 29 as well.
The innings from Stokes will be remembered for a long time, given the difficulty of the situation and Australia had three world-class bowlers as well.
