England have thumped the Netherlands by 160 runs in the 40th match of ICC World Cup 2023 in Pune.
England, who lost five games on a trot, bagged a much-needed win to keep their hopes alive for 2025 Champions Trophy qualification.
Earlier, Ben Stokes' maiden World Cup hundred rescued faltering champions England from another collapse as they made 339 for nine.
Stokes' 108, only England's second individual century of the tournament, came when it looked as if his bottom-of-the-table side would struggle to reach 300 after winning the toss.
But together with Chris Woakes (51), he turned the tide during a seventh-wicket stand of 129 after they came together at 192 for six.
England, with opener Dawid Malan making 87, had been well-placed at 133 for one.
England came into this match having won just one of their preceding seven group games.
Non-test side the Netherlands, by contrast, had won two – including a shock victory over semifinalists South Africa.
Opening batsman Malan led the way for England, the left-hander completing a 36-ball fifty that featured 40 runs in boundaries.
England, however, lost two wickets in quick succession.
Joe Root fell for 28 in bizarre fashion when bowled between his legs by Logan van Beek attempting a reverse scoop.
And 133 for two became 139 for three when Malan was run out in sight of his second hundred of the tournament when sent back by Stokes going for a needless single.
Harry Brook gave his wicket away before England captain Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali both fell tamely in single figures.
Stokes was dropped in the deep off a tough chance, survived a tight lbw review before smashing a no-ball from spinner Aryan Dutt – and the ensuing free-hit – for sixes.
Test skipper Stokes went into the 90s with another six, a straight drive off De Leede.
A reverse swept four off paceman Paul van Meekeren, his sixth of the innings, saw him to a 78-ball hundred that included five sixes.
Woakes and Stokes, who was out in the last over, starred as England scored 124 runs in the last 10 overs, with van Beek suffering in a return of 2-88.
Source Geo Super
BDST: 2147 HRS, NOV 09, 2023
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