Picture : ICC/ X
In what has been a disastrous World Cup defence campaign , England finally managed come out with an all- round display to beat Netherlands by 160 runs in CWC23 encounter at Pune . And improve their embarrassing last place finish at the points table form 10th to 7th.
Electing to bat first England began shaily with Jonny Bairstow out early for ( 11), but fellow Opener Dawid Malan blasted his way back to form with a superb 87 ( 74 balls, 10 fours , 2 sixes). Joe Root ( 28), Harry Brook ( 11), Skipper Jos Buttler’s poor form continued ( 5), Moeen Ali ( 4). English all- rounder Ben Stokes came to the party for England and smashed power ton 108 ( 84 balls, 6 fours, six sixes), Chris Woakes also chipped in a quick 51 (45 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) . Thanks to Stokes , England reached an imposing 339/ 9 in their 50 overs.
The Dutch bowlers were sent on a lather hunt. Aryan Dutt 2/ 67 ( 10 overs),Logan van Beek 2/ 88 ( 10 overs) Paul van Meekeren 1/ 57 (10 overs), Bas de Leede3. 74 ( 10 overs), Roelof van der Merwe 0/ 22 ( 3 overs), Colin Ackermann 0/ 31( 7 overs)
Netherlands struggled with early loss of wickets and this did not help their cause . Wesley Barresi (37), Max ODowd ( 5), Colin Ackermann ( 0), Sybrand Engelbrecht ( 33), Skipper Scott Edwards 38 ( 42 balls, 3 fours , 1 six), Bas de Leede ( 10), Teja Nidamanuru remained not out 41 ( 34 balls 2 fours 3 sixes) , Logan van Beek ( 2), Roelof van der Merwe ( 0), Aryan Dutt ( 1), A dejected Dutch were eventually bolwed out for 179 in 37.2 overs.
England bowling figures : Chris Woakes 1/ 19 ( 7 overs), David Willey 2/ 19 ( 7 overs), Gus Atkinson 0/ 41 ( 7 overs), Moeen Ali 3/ 42 ( 8. 2 overs), Adil Rashid 3/ 54 ( 8 overs)
Match: World Cup 2023, 40th Match
Venue: Pune | Date: November 08, 2023
