English cricket’s crisis man Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket earlier today. After years of struggling with a dodgy knee whilst also coping with depression, the 31-year-old decided to keep himself fresh for the longest and shortest formats of the game. Recently announced as test captain, he oversaw a remarkable turnaround in the Three Lions’ long-form fortunes, reeling off a 3-0 whitewash against World Test Champions New Zealand, followed by an equally rip-roaring run-chase against India. 

The skirmish-seeking all-rounder has built a career out of conjuring the impossible. Thriving under intense pressure, he has been the go-to guy for English teams across formats, both with bat and ball. But as the curtains close on a memorable career in 50-over cricket, we look back on some of his finest knocks in England blue. 

Also Read: Stokes retires from ODIs: England hails player as ‘inspirational figure’

#1. 84* vs New Zealand, Lord’s 2019 

As London shuffled to the rhythms of two see-saw finals on that fateful day- Federer and Djokovic duelled for long hours at Centre Court- Ben Stokes emerged as the saviour and star in one of them. At Lord’s, as New Zealand probed and pierced England’s vaunted batting line-up in pursuit of 242, the Christchurch-born lad steered his adopted England through several blips.

Touching base at 71/3, he would watch as multiple partners fell by the wayside, leaving the home favourites in several states of disarray. But Stokes ploughed on, keeping them within sniffing distance of the World Cup. It did end in a tie twice -after both sets of 50 and the super-over that followed- but if not for Stokes and one instance of fortuitous umpiring, the Kiwis would have led a merry dance. And about the boundary counting that eventually separated the two (terrible as it was), big Ben chipped in with a few to tilt the scales. 

#2. 99 vs India, Pune 2021

Amid a dismal Indian tour, England was searching for some small mercies. After a sensational tour opener with a test win at Chennai, the visitors suffered a familiar summer pasting under the Indian sun, losing three tests on the trot, followed by a 4-1 pasting in the T20s. Down 1-0 in the ODI series and chasing 337 under lights, openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy teed off indiscriminately to put the target within sight. Roy’s dismissal brought Stokes to the crease. Batting out of position at one-down, he went hammer-and-tongs at the Indian bowling. Striking a barely believable 99 off 52 balls whilst Bairstow was unleashing his carnage, England cantered to the target with over six overs to spare. Four 4s and ten 6s later, he would fall to Kumar, edging off to Rishabh Pant. 

#3. 89 vs South Africa, The Oval 2019

Before the cross-town heroics of a month later, Stokes would turn in a MOTM performance in the World Cup opener. In front of an expectant crowd at The Oval, his all round brilliance was on full display. Joining Captain Morgan at the fall of Joe Root, Stokes muscled England to a formidable 300+ score. An innings of 89, laced with nine fours, had the South African bowlers scurrying for cover. But he wasn’t done just yet.

With the South African chase tottering, Andile Phehlukwayo threatened to heave them back into the game. Racing along at a run-a-ball 24, he aimed a slog sweep for the stands. The ball, given a spiteful whip, was well on its way to the fence. But Stokes had other designs! Positioned a few yards from the fence, he would pluck the ball from mid-air, one-handed, while balancing himself on his toes. Not content with pulling off a wickedly difficult catch, he closed out the match with two wickets of his own.  

#4. 102* vs Australia, Birmingham 2017

The only triple-figure entry on our list, it speaks much about the man when his half-centuries have proven more valuable than the tons. Chasing 278 in a rain-marred tie at Edgbaston, Stokes joined Morgan with the home side at 35-3. Unfazed, the two played with freedom and flair to push England ahead before rain brought the contest to a premature halt. It was enough to seal victory for England on Duckworth-Lewis. Stokes bludgeoned his way to an unbeaten 102 runs off 109 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes. Finding the fence with power and placement, the big lad regaled the boozy faithful in the Hollies Stand as they sang the Aussies a farewell tune home. 

Also Read: Stokes retires from ODIs: Kohli calls England star ‘most competitive bloke’

#5. 71* vs Pakistan, Nottingham 2019

Pakistan’s gun batters clicked into gear as they slashed their way to a sizeable 340. Babar Azam sparkled in his innings of 115, but Jason Roy and Ben Stokes would dampen his spirits. If Roy’s vicious 89-ball 114 had set the base for the chase, it would require Stokes’ clutch quality to see out the win.

Coasting at 201/1, Roy’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse to leave the home side at 216/5. Joe Denly’s wicket left England precariously placed at 258/6, but Stokes would calmly guide the hosts to a hard-fought win with three balls to spare.