This performance not only eclipsed the previous England record of 180 runs held by Jason Roy against Australia in 2018 but also laid the foundation for England’s resounding victory over New Zealand at The Oval.

Ben Stokes etched his name in the record books by achieving the highest score ever by an England batsman in a one-day international. His breathtaking innings of 182 runs sent a resounding warning to the World Cup rivals of the reigning champions, just weeks before they commence their campaign to defend the 50-over title in India.

Stokes’ sensational batting display proved to be more than just an individual achievement. It was the cornerstone of England’s commanding 181-run victory over New Zealand, propelling them to a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, with the series finale set to take place at Lord’s on Friday.

The early stages of the match were challenging for England, as they found themselves struggling at 13/2 after Trent Boult’s early double strike, which included the swift dismissal of Jonny Bairstow on the very first ball.

However, Ben Stokes and Dawid Malan (96) responded with resilience, forging a formidable third-wicket partnership worth 199 runs, which enabled England to recover and post a commanding total of 368 runs.

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips put up a fight with his gritty 72, but when he was adjudged lbw to spinner Liam Livingstone, the Black Caps were effectively beaten, finding themselves at 173/8. Liam Livingstone (3/16) ended the match with 11 overs to spare when he had No 11 Ben Lister stumped by England captain Jos Buttler, resulting in New Zealand being dismissed for 187.

At the presentation ceremony, Ben Stokes, named the player of the match, remarked, “Coming back into the team after a while out, it’s nice to come back and help the team.”

Jos Buttler hailed Stokes’ exceptional innings by saying, “He’s played a few good ones, but that was amazing.”

Trent Boult kept New Zealand in the game with an impressive 5/51 in 9.1 overs, although England appeared to be on course for a mammoth total at 348/5 when Stokes was dismissed. However, they lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with left-arm quick Boult wrapping up the innings with 11 balls to spare. Despite this late hiccup, England had more than enough runs.

Chris Woakes (3/31) played a pivotal role in damaging New Zealand’s batting lineup, and the Black Caps, missing regular skipper Kane Williamson due to a pre-World Cup knee injury, slumped to 37/4, with Reece Topley also chipping in with wickets.

England will commence their quest to defend their 50-over global title against New Zealand, the team they dramatically defeated in the 2019 Super Over World Cup final at Lord’s, in Ahmedabad on October 5.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead shared his thoughts, saying, “I don’t mind Stokes. I’d rather he scored them (runs) now than on October 5.” Stead also expressed satisfaction with Trent Boult’s performance, highlighting his ability to disrupt the top order of the English batting lineup.

Trent Boult had made an impact early in the game, dismissing Jonny Bairstow and inducing Joe Root to inside-edge onto his stumps.

But Ben Stokes hit back in remarkable fashion with a 124-ball innings, featuring 15 fours and nine sixes, that surpassed Jason Roy’s previous England record of 180 against Australia in Melbourne in 2018.

One concern for England was the familiar sight of Stokes, whose previous ODI top score was 102 not out, grimacing in pain thanks to a chronic knee problem he hopes to manage all the way through the World Cup. However, Stokes, off the field at the start of New Zealand’s chase, said: “I just needed a little bit of treatment…”It (the knee injury) is getting better and better.”

Boult again troubled England’s top-order, with Jason Roy absent from the lineup due to a fresh back spasm. However, Dawid Malan, who had missed England’s previous match to attend the birth of his son, responded with a quickfire fifty off 52 balls, aiming to secure his spot in the 15-man World Cup squad.

Malan fell just short of a century, edging a delivery to wicket-keeper Tom Latham. Nevertheless, Ben Stokes, in a breathtaking display of shot-making, broke Jason Roy’s record in style with a six off Ben Lister, only to be caught out off the same bowler just two balls later.