Ben Stokes hit a superb century as England boosted their beleaguered World Cup campaign with a 160-run victory over the Netherlands in Pune.
The defending champions’ hopes of progressing were already over, but the result does improve their chances of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Stokes hit 108 from 84 balls, his fifth one-day international century but first at a World Cup, to rescue England’s batting line-up from more misery and drag them to 339-9.
Dawid Malan’s 87 gave England a platform at 133-1 before a collapse – Malan, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook and Moeen Ali were all out in quick succession – had them teetering at 192-6 in the 36th over.
But Stokes, crucially dropped at fine leg on 42, powered on from a steady start in a partnership of 129 from 81 balls with Chris Woakes, who made an important 51.
The Netherlands’ chase never got going after early blows by Woakes and David Willey.
They were dismissed for 179 in 37.2 overs, with Willey taking 2-19, Moeen Ali 3-42 and Adil Rashid 3-54.
England’s second win in eight games lifts them from bottom of the table to seventh with one match to play – a meeting with Pakistan on Saturday.
They must finish in the top eight to make the Champions Trophy and, while victory in Kolkata would all but guarantee qualification, they could already have enough if other results go their way.
Defeat here mathematically ended the Netherlands’ chances of finishing in the top four and they face leaders India in their final game on Sunday. (BBC Sport)
