WATCH: Ben Stokes scores his fourth century in One day international against New Zealand at Oval

Ben Stokes on Wednesday re-affirmed why he was the most sought-after cricketer ahead of the Cricket World Cup. The 32-year-old had played a pivotal role in England’s success during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Ben Stokes yet again proved nemesis for the Kiwi bowlers as he scored his fourth ODI ton for England.

England and New Zealand are locked in the middle of a four-match- ODI series. The series is tied at 1-1. The Kiwis had won the first game by 8 wickets thanks to centuries by Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. England won the next game by 79 runs as the series moved to its 3^rd game at Oval. Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Ben Stokes scores an important century for England

Walking into bat at number 4, Ben Stokes had to see out the menace of Trent Boult. The English test skipper weathered the early storm as he went about resurrecting the innings. Stokes joined Dawid Malan as the pair then went after the Kiwi bowlers.

Malan and Stokes added 199 runs for the third wicket. Stokes began by giving respect to the good deliveries. Once he got his eye in, Stokes went after every bowler with Lockie Ferguson and Rachin Ravindra coming in for special treatment.

Ben Stokes, was batting on 99 runs off 75 balls with Glenn Phillips bowling. The left-handed batter hit the ball down to long-off and set off for a single. This was his 4^th ODI ton in his 108^th game for England.

Watch the video below: 

What a moment for Ben Stokes - 4th ODI century in just 76 balls.pic.twitter.com/gYEO8eEZ0R

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 13, 2023

The 32-year-old had just made a comeback to the English team after his retirement from ODI cricket last year. Stokes was one of the key ingredients with the bat and ball under Eoin Morgan when England won the World Cup in 2019.

Trent Boult had England reeling at 13/2 as he found early help with the new ball. Jonny Bairstow was out for a duck in the very first ball of the match. Joe Root then found his stumps rattled for four thanks to Trent Boult. This left England struggling early in the 3^rd over of the innings.

Dawid Malan scored 96 runs off 95 balls with 12 fours and a six as he became Boult’s third wicket. Malan was caught by skipper Tom Latham as Jos Buttler joined Ben Stokes against a tired-looking Kiwi attack.