England Test skipper Ben Stokes shocked everyone when he announced his retirement from the ODI format. On Monday, Stokes put up a post on social media declaring that the first ODI against South Africa on Tuesday will be his last game. Marking his debut against Ireland in 2011, he has been a crucial part of the team. As Ben Stokes bids goodbye to a phenomenal ODI career, here are some notable performances.
Top 5 ODI performances by Ben Stokes
1. World Cup final heroics
Ben Stokes’ performance in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand is one of the best knocks of his career. In a critical run-chase against New Zealand in the championship, he hammered an undefeated 84. Later, he played a crucial role for England in a Super Over that would go down in history. Stokes’ game-winning show earned him the title of Player of the Match.
2. Champions Trophy 2017
Ben Stokes delivered a great knock for England against their arch-rivals Australia. Australia batted first during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 277 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Australia took control of the rain-affected game as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc reduced England to a precarious 35-3 position. Stokes erupted into a rage. He threw all poor deliveries out of the park and took 108 balls to reach his first century in an ICC tournament.
3. Third youngest player to take 5 wickets haul
In another stellar performance, Stokes took a five-wicket haul in an ODI in 2013, making him the third-youngest player from England to do so (at 22 years and 104 days). He took 5/61 against Australia.
4. All-round performance against Australia in 2014
Ben Stokes’ masterful all-around effort in Perth during England’s 2013–14 tour to Australia gave England their lone victory out of the 13 international games competed during the tour. Stokes hit an 84-ball 70 while playing at number three for just the second time in his ODI career as England amassed a victorious 316 for eight. In addition, he dismissed Mitchell Johson, Maxwell, and acting skipper George Bailey to finish with stats of 4 for 38 and paved the way for England’s 57-run victory.
5. 10+ sixes in an innings
Ben Stokes is one of only three Engish players to hit 10 or more sixes in an ODI. In March 2021, Stokes scored 99 runs off 52 balls while hitting 10 maximums in Pune against India. The record for hitting the most sixes in an ODI belongs to former England captain Eoin Morgan (17, WC 2019). Jos Buttler has accomplished it twice (14 vs NED, 12 vs WI).