Ben Stokes hogs all the limelight as England win by 6 wickets

The English Cricket team, shed off their poor run of form this month with a crucial victory at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. After losing the series opener at Seddon Park, Hamilton, England make a come back in the second ODI with the help of their 6 wicket win.

The Three Lions now level the 5-match ODI series against the Black Caps by 1-1, with three matches to go. Eoin Morgan started off on the right foot by winning the toss and backing their ability to chase.

Martin Guptill continued his rich form with a well-stitched half-century with wickets falling at the other end. However, it was the New Zealand’s hero from the Hamilton ODI who stood out in the home side’s batting efforts.

Santner smashed a priceless 52-ball 62 which consisted of six boundaries and a maximum at a strike rate of 121. He remained unbeaten to power the Kiwi total to a below par 223. Although, New Zealand would have taken the total with arms wide open as the hosts were tottering at 147-8 at one point in time.

The English bowlers hunted in packs as the likes of Stokes, Moeen Ali and Woakes clinched a couple of wickets each. Meanwhile, David Willey and Adil Rashid were at their economical best.

Also Read: Indian contingent on Twitter go savage on PSL, hilariously comparing with IPL

In reply, England chased down the required total with ease on the back of a powerful 62 run knock from captain Eoin Morgan.

Comeback man Ben Stokes finished the job for his side with his unbeaten knock of 63. A late flourish from Buttler sealed the deal for the English side.

In the end, England won the match and stamped their authority on the Kiwis with more than 12 overs remaining. Ben Stokes was adjudged as the man of the match for his couple of wickets, run-outs and priceless 60 odd. No prizes for guessing, it was Ben Stokes who hogged the limelight on his comeback trail.

Here’s how Twitter Reacted:

https://twitter.com/cricketeersnz/status/968755629325275136

England make it 1-1. Stokes and Buttler impressive to close it out. Jos Buttler ending things with a 6 as England finish 225/4. Live scoring | h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->i<!---->V<!---->N<!---->P<!---->j<!---->y<!---->Z<!---->1<!---->p<!---->Z #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->K<!---->O<!---->0<!---->7<!---->w<!---->G<!---->X<!---->d<!---->T<!---->1

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Well that was too easy, a six wicket win with over 12 overs remaining #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g. It’s going to be tougher getting to the gym this morning I reckon, now where’s my husky?

— Tim Mackenzie (@SW20Macca) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Very impressive performance from England. Cantered to the win. Great to see Stokes in form with bat and ball #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Matt Jones (@mattjones_sport) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The cricket ends about an hour early because England have absolutely thrashed New Zealand. Now what am I going to do? #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Lee Payne (@ncfclee) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/dredgeydubs/status/968755612975853568

England win the second ODI and the series is now 1-1#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

This is just NZ's 11th ODI loss at home in 4 years. Well played England it ain't easy winning down here. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Sam[uel] Smith (@sgowsmith1988) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

50 grand catch! #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->x<!---->c<!---->I<!---->x<!---->1<!---->C<!---->k<!---->I<!---->O<!---->s

— FlowerPowerGardening (@TauntonGardener) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The bloke who just caught $50k was literally 20 yards to my right. So happy for him… Bugger #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Joseph Pearson (@joepearsonstuff) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

He is back with a bang! #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->O<!---->l<!---->u<!---->W<!---->0<!---->2<!---->R<!---->C<!---->b

— Fanisko NFTs (@FaniskoNFTs) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Can someone tell the @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S it's not T20 you have 50 overs very disappointing #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— wehavebourbon (@wehavebourbon) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

No Sponser For @<!---->b<!---->e<!---->n<!---->s<!---->t<!---->o<!---->k<!---->e<!---->s<!---->3<!---->8 Bat . #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->t<!---->x<!---->U<!---->r<!---->T<!---->m<!---->s<!---->d<!---->y<!---->F

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Hearing in the press box that Stokes has been named man of the match for his knock against NZ as well as 2 wickets and 2 run-outs #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Dan Sheridan (@dansheridan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Great to see Hornchurch Hammers ⚒at the ?in New Zealand ??As always #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Mike Austin (@mikeaustin1404) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/ImVpatel/status/968751444630364160

I love the cricket grounds in New Zealand! They're nearly all just grass banks ?#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Matt Ashley (@MattAshley1) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Wow – this “best ever” NZ cricket team isn’t very good at winning. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Andrew Robertson (@andrew_r_4) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Look who’s back!!! #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->F<!---->C<!---->A<!---->I<!---->B<!---->3<!---->C<!---->H<!---->9<!---->F

— Jason Lyon (@jasonlyon67) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Wonderful comeback by @<!---->b<!---->e<!---->n<!---->s<!---->t<!---->o<!---->k<!---->e<!---->s<!---->3<!---->8 #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->P<!---->S<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

— mohsin (@mohsinhadeed) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

He’s back and amongst the runs as he steers England towards series levelling victory…?? #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->h<!---->y<!---->B<!---->V<!---->4<!---->W<!---->h<!---->y<!---->w<!---->3

— Dave – we are Premier League – NFFC ⭐⭐ (@dj_zotov) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8