World Cup heroics and jaw-dropping belligerence – Ben Stokes’ best ODI moments

The England Test captain has announced his decision to retire from one-day internationals.

Published Jul 18, 2022

England Test captain Ben Stokes has taken the shock decision to retire from one-day internationals and will bow out with a final match at his home ground of Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

Stokes has enjoyed several outstanding moments in the 50-over format and the undoubted peak came with a star turn in the 2019 World Cup final, leading England to an improbable win over New Zealand at Lord’s.

Here, the PA news agency looks at Stokes’ five best performances in an ODI shirt.

England v New Zealand – July 14, 2019

England won the 2019 World Cup thanks to Ben Stokes' heroics (Nick Potts/PA) — England won the 2019 World Cup thanks to Ben Stokes’ heroics (Nick Potts/PA)

England v South Africa – May 30, 2019

Ben Stokes' acrobatic grab was a highlight reel moment of the 2019 World Cup (Nigel French/PA) — Ben Stokes’ acrobatic grab was a highlight reel moment of the 2019 World Cup (Nigel French/PA)

Australia v England – January 24, 2014

Stokes was one of England's few positives in the 2013/14 Ashes (Anthony Devlin/PA) — Stokes was one of England’s few positives in the 2013-14 Ashes (Anthony Devlin/PA)

England v Australia – June 10, 2017

Stokes made just three ODI centuries, the last of them against Australia in 2017 (Mike Egerton/PA)

India v England – March 26, 2021

Statistics can obscure the bigger picture and this was certainly the case with Stokes. Jonny Bairstow’s century led England to a six-wicket victory in Pune but Stokes’ jaw-dropping belligerence in his 99 off 52 balls was captivating. There were 10 sixes in total in a whirlwind innings that was a perfect demonstration of England’s adherence to captain Eoin Morgan’s adventurous approach to batting.