The Island all-rounder brought up the milestone on the penultimate ball of the Sarnians’ innings in game two of the Le Pommier Island Series against the Isle of Man, with his side’s total of 198 for 6 also a record in the format for the Greens.
Stokes had come in during the first over with Guernsey having slipped to 0 for 2 with both Lucas Barker and Tom Nightingale dismissed for two-ball ducks.
Josh Butler also fell during the powerplay, but skipper Ollie Nightingale and Zak Damarell joined Stokes in significant partnerships worth 55 and 83 respectively to swing the game in the home side’s favour.
Stokes’ century came off 54 deliveries and included 11 fours and three sixes.
‘I’m very, very proud to be the first Guernseyman to score 100,’ Stokes said.
‘I didn’t really think about it much today. I was 55 off 13 overs and with Zak going so well, I was giving him the strike, but then when Zak got out I took on that aggressive role and went back-to-back sixes, and just in the back of my mind I thought, “well there’s a chance”.
‘Then needing eight runs off the last three balls of the innings went four-four. It’s kind of more relief to get a T20I hundred because I was always thinking, is it going to be one that I’m able to tick off? But thankfully I’ve been able to do that this week.’
Guernsey went on to win the game by 40 runs, having taken the previous day’s game one by seven wickets.
With rain forcing the abandonment of the third game on Sunday afternoon with just nine balls having been bowled, the hosts took the series 2-0.
Next up for the Island squad is their big assignment of the season – the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier in Cyprus, which begins on Saturday 16 May.
‘I think we’re very confident,’ Stokes said.
‘I think we’ve got so much more confidence in our own ability to go from either 0 for 2 and score 200 or chase down scores.
‘We’ve shown against Essex [Academy] and we’ve shown against Isle of Man that we can chase or we can set a total. It’s just now putting that into practice into the tournament.
‘That will be the main thing because you only get one chance. If you lose one game, you’re hoping on other results. So I think if we can do what we’ve done over the last two or three weekends, I think we should be in good stead for the tournament.’
Guernsey captain Nightingale was full of praise for his star all-rounder after his accomplishment.
‘I’m not sure he probably gets the credit he deserves outside of the group,’ the skipper said.
‘He’s a seriously good player and he’s got to be up there with some of the best players who have played for Guernsey now, if not the best.’
