PUNE, India (AP) — Ben Stokes scored his first World Cup century to help England finally end a five-game losing streak by beating the Netherlands by 160 runs on Wednesday.

Stokes reached his hundred off just 78 balls and finished on 108 to help England reach 339-9 after his team opted to bat first. Pace all-rounder Chris Woakes also scored 51 off 45 balls, and he and Stokes put on 129 runs to rescue England from a precarious 192-6.

In reply, the Netherlands was all out for 179 in 37.2 overs. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali took three wickets each for England, which climbed off the bottom of the table with a second win from eight games.

The defending champions had already been eliminated from semifinal contention, but can still clinch a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a win over Pakistan in its final game on Saturday.

The Netherlands’ slim chances of advancing to the last four of the tournament officially ended with the loss. The Dutch can still finish eighth or higher to qualify for the Champions Trophy, but must beat table-toppers India in their final game on Sunday.

England made a quick start given the good batting conditions in Pune. Jonny Bairstow scored only 15 runs, but put on 48 together with Dawid Malan for the first wicket.

The latter scored 87 runs off 74 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, and added 85 for the second wicket with Joe Root, who scored 28 runs.

Logan van Beek bowled Root through his legs, as the batter tried a switch-hit. It became a double blow as Malan was out 10 balls later, run-out after a mix-up with Stokes.

England lost more quick wickets thereafter. Harry Brook holed out for 11, while Jos Buttler’s poor form continued as he was caught at mid-off for 5.

Moeen Ali was out caught off Aryan Dutt as the English showcased another poor batting performance despite the bright start.

But Stokes held one end together with Woakes providing him good support as the duo counterattacked and scored quickly in the last 15 overs.

England crossed 300 in the 47th over, before Stokes was last out, caught at long off.

In reply, the Dutch innings started poorly. Woakes removed opener Max O’Dowd for 5 and David Willey had Colin Ackermann caught behind for a two-ball duck.

Wesley Barresi and Sybrand Engelbrecht added 54 off 71 balls for the third wicket, but the wickets fell quickly thereafter as Barresi was run out, while Engelbrecht gave a simple catch to mid-on.

Adil Rashid got into the act then, bowling Bas de Leede for 10. His pairing with Ali didn’t allow the Dutch to recover from 104-5.

Skipper Scott Edwards scored 38 and put on 59 runs with Teja Nidamanuru, who top scored with 41 not out.

Once Edwards holed out off Ali, though, the end came swiftly as the Netherlands lost its last five wickets for 13 runs in 21 balls.

Rashid and Ali ran through the lower order, sharing six wickets in 16.2 overs.

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Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has resigned from his post amid the recent debates regarding the team selection and conflict with PCB.

Pakistan are having a disastrous World Cup 2023. The Men in Green have lost four of their six matches so far, which raised questions on the team selection. Further, there is a tiff between the PCB and Pakistani players, as there were reports that they have not been paid in the last five months.

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Another reason behind Inzamam-ul-Haq’s registration is the fact that he has a shareholding in ‘Yazo International Limited’ company that is associated with player agent Talha Rehmani. It has raised questions over a potential conflict of interest, which is why Inzamam had to resign.

Notably, Rehmani represents Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The PCB also took to social media platforms where they addressed the potential conflict of interest matter and revealed that the board has set up a five-member committee to look into the matter.

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set up a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest reported in the media pertaining to the team selection process. The committee will submit its report and any recommendations to the PCB Management in an expeditious manner.”

He took on the role of the chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team in August 2023.

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Afghanistan caused the biggest upset in the history of the fifty-over World Cup as they defeated reigning world champions England by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

England couldn’t case 285 against a team that has been performed below-par in big tournaments since making it to international cricket.

Afghanistan put up a competitive 284, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80) and Ikram Alikhil (58) scoring valueable runs.

Jos Buttler’s team kept losing regular wickets and were bowled out for runs. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman took three wickets and Rashid Khan took three wickets each. Mohammad Nabi added two scalps.

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The buzz for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 intensifies as fans await the clash of giants in India from October 5 to November 19. Amidst the fervor, former opener Virender Sehwag has offered his prediction. He vouched for Rohit Sharma’s exceptional performance in the tournament.

Speaking to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sehwag expressed his conviction in Sharma’s potential to shine in the upcoming World Cup. He highlighted Sharma’s record in the 2019 edition, where he led the run charts with a remarkable 648 runs and five centuries. Despite India’s semifinal exit, Sharma’s performance stood out with an average of 81.00.

“I believe there will be a lot of openers because India has a good wicket and openers will have more opportunities.” If I had to pick one, I’d go with Rohit Sharma. There are a few names, but I know I’m Indian and should choose an Indian, therefore Rohit Sharma.

“I’ll go with Rohit Sharma because his energy level and performance goes up during World Cups.” So I’m sure of it, and this time he’s also a captain. So I’m confident he’ll make a difference and get a lot of runs,” Sehwag remarked to the ICC.

Sehwag’s prediction is rooted in Sharma’s performance during significant tournaments, especially World Cups. Sehwag asserts that Sharma’s energy and contributions tend to soar during such high-stakes events. With Sharma leading the Indian team, Sehwag believes he will be further motivated to make a substantial impact.

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Former Australian captain Tim Paine has said that he has heard rumors that David Warner could be shifted to No. 4 in the ODI batting order for the 2023 World Cup in India.

Warner, a long-standing and successful opener, could find himself in a new role in the middle order, reshaping Australia’s batting. This potential shift has sparked debates among fans and experts alike, given its potential impact on the team’s dynamics.

“It’s going to be critical to get off to really fast starts. Our most explosive players right now are Travis Head and Mitch Marsh. I believe Warner can play at 4. He’s a good player of spin. He’s also quick between the wickets, has power, and can control an innings. In those circumstances, I like having him in the middle order,” Paine told SEN cricket.

Paine’s comments have been met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits. Some believe that it is a good idea to bat Warner at No. 4, as it would allow the team more flexibility in the batting order.

Others believe that it would be a mistake to move Warner as he is one of the best openers in the world.

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Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman could be a weak link in the Babar Azam-led side’s top order in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup.

Chopra highlighted Zaman’s poor batting average in Asia. He highlighted that the 33-year-old has a tendency to throw his wicket away against spin. In 72 ODIs, Zaman has scored 3000 runs at an average of 48, but his average falls to 38.9 in Asia.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated, “Fakhar Zaman – more than 3000 runs at an average of 48 in 72 matches.” Three of his ten centuries came in Asia. In Asia, his average actually declines. It becomes 38.9, which indicates that it could be spin. He throws his wicket several times against spin. So Fakhar Zaman could be the weakest link.”

On the other hand, Chopra was full of praise for Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam. Imam has scored 2871 runs in 61 ODIs at an average of 52. Babar has amassed 5000 runs in 102 ODIs at an average of 58.4.

“Imam-ul-Haq is a good player and Babar Azam is brilliant in this format. He is expected to bat steadily because Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can come in and accelerate later,” Chopra added.

Pakistan will be hoping to improve on their performance in the 2019 World Cup, when they failed to make the semi-finals. The tournament will be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

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Eoin Morgan, the former captain of England, holds the belief that facing Virat Kohli in significant matches like the ODI World Cup is no easy task. The forthcoming World Cup, scheduled for October-November this year, will take place in India.

Morgan is of the firm belief that Kohli possesses the remarkable ability to elevate his performance when the stakes are high.

This according to him is a trait that not only influences his own game but also has a positive impact on his teammates. In a conversation with RevSportz, Morgan articulated his admiration for Kohli:

“I’ve had a lot of respect for Virat Kohli for a long time. It’s not just the sheer number of runs he’s scored; it’s also his behaviour on and off the pitch.”

Kohli’s ability for thriving on significant occasions makes him a formidable adversary. He channels the energy and anticipation surrounding pivotal matches, turning it into a driving force for his own success.

Morgan stated, “You wouldn’t wish to compete against him in high-stakes situations, as he thrives in such environments.”

Reflecting on the significance of having a player like Kohli, who was part of the 2011 team that clinched the World Cup on home soil, Morgan said, “Virat Kohli’s presence is advantageous. His participation in the 2011 victory, when he was a member of the team, adds a level of expertise. Managing stressful circumstances well under MS Dhoni’s leadership says volumes. With the superb management of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, they may surely be major competitors if they navigate it well.”

Considering the existing concerns related to injuries in the middle order, Kohli’s role becomes pivotal for India’s aspirations in the World Cup.

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Former India coach Ravi Shastri’s suggestion of placing Virat Kohli at No. 4 in the upcoming ODI World Cup has drawn a response from Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner outlined that for Kohli to take up this spot, it would depend on the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who is recovering for the World Cup.

Should Rahul remain unfit, Ashwin envisions a situation where the Indian team would field backup keeper Ishan Kishan as an opener. This is a plausible move considering Kishan’s recent performance, having achieved three consecutive fifties in the West Indies ODI series.

On his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, “In the 2011 World Cup, Virat Kohli batted at number four. In reality, Ravi Bhai has stated that Virat Kohli should bat at number four if necessary. I believe he suggested that so that we might accommodate a left-hander.”

Ashwin further elaborated, “That is only possible if KL Rahul does not get fit, and when they need a keeper, they can open with Ishan Kishan. That is the only option because Shreyas Iyer is one of Team India’s go-to batters in ODIs.”

Kohli’s record at No. 4 is noteworthy, with 39 ODIs and 1767 runs at an average of 55.22. This includes seven centuries and eight half-centuries. In World Cups, at No. 4, Kohli scored 282 runs in nine matches, averaging 35.25, and his performance included a century in the 2011 World Cup.

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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri spoke about the No.4 problem for India in ODIs and remarked that he wanted to try Virat Kohli at the number 4 spot in the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Notably, going into the 2019 World Cup, the No.4 position was the most debated one, as no player cemented his place for that position. Even after four years, the Men in Blue are dealing with the same issue as KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have not played a game for a long time due to injuries, and Suryakumar Yadav is struggling with the bat in the fifty-over format.

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Meanwhile, Shastri recalled how he thought of playing Virat at the No.4 position for the team’s interest. “If Virat has to bat at four, he will for the team’s interest. There were times when I thought of playing Virat at No.4. When I was the coach in the 2019 World Cup. I discussed it with MSK Prasad to break that top heavy-line-up. If we lost two-three wickets at the top, Virat would have been there, and his numbers are fantastic.”

Notably, Virat has 1767 runs batting at No.4, and averages 55.21.

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Virat Kohli recently won over the internet after the 34-year-old dropped a new picture on his social media profile where he hit the gym even on his off days. Notably, the players are on a month-long break before they resume their bilateral ties and prepare for the ICC World Cup 2023.

The fans were amazed by Virat’s dedication towards fitness, as the former India captain continues to be one of the fittest players in the world across sports. Several cricket experts and pundits have hailed Virat’s fitness levels, and the latest to jump onto the bandwagon is 2011 World Cup player of the series winner Yuvraj Singh.

Speaking to Sports18, Yuvraj spoke about fitness in the game and gave Kohli’s example. Singh remarked that Virat has a four times better work ethic than any sportsperson in the last 15 years.

“I have seen Virat’s work ethic. I can assure you that he has four times better ethics than any sportsperson I have seen in the last 15 years.”

Meanwhile, Yuvraj was the star with the bat and ball for India in the 2011 World Cup after he scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets.

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