ISLAMABAD: David Malan’s terrific 87 runs innings, assisted by Ben Stokes’s superb hundred in the middle, took the out-of-form England to score 339 in the ICC contest being played at Pune, India, on Tuesday. Despite losing some quick wickets in the middle, all-rounder Ben Stokes (108)and Chris Woakes (51) from the lower order came to the rescue and guided England to cross the 330 mark.
Earlier, after winning the toss, England chose to bat first. English Openers Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan took a quick start for the team. However, in the 7th over, Dutt dismissed Bairstow on 15. Bairstow was replaced by Joe Root, who along with Malan, drove the innings to 133 runs. Meanwhile, Malan also completed his half-century. In the 21st over, Van Beek dismissed Root on 28.
Later, Malan was also dismissed after playing a superb knock of 80 on 69 balls, including 4 fours and 4 sixes. The Dutch bowlers took further quick wickets of Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, and Moeen Ali. At the stage, England were 192 for 6 in 35.2 overs.
However, the middle-order batter, Ben Stokes, managed to defend the other hand and put continuous pressure against the Dutch bowlers. He also completed hi half-century. Number 8 batter Chris Woakes accompanied him at the right time. Both batters contributed a crucial partnership of 129 runs and took their side to a decent total. Later, Ben Stokes smashed his splendid hundred while facing just 78 balls, including 6 fours and 5 sixes.
Chris Woakes also smashed a fine half-century of 51 runs on 45 balls. He was removed by Bas De Leede on the very next ball. At the stage, England were 321 for 7 in 48.4 overs. In the same over, after hitting a six, the new batter, David Willey, was also removed by Bas de Leede. In the final over, Ben Stokes also got out on 108. England managed to score 339 for the loss of 9 in 50 overs.
From the Netherlands, Bas de Leede got 3 wickets. Aryan Dutt and Van Beek took 2 wickets each, while Van Meekeren grabbed one wicket.
England Team
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid and Gus Atkinson
Netherlands Team
Wesley Barresi, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Scott Edwards (c), Teja Nidamanuru, Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren
