Ben Stokes fell for just five on his return to England duty as the champions collapsed to 38-4 in a crunch World Cup 2023 match against South Africa in Mumbai owing to a brilliant catch from Kagiso Rabada. The all-rounder, so often England’s savior, was playing his first game of the tournament following a hip injury, with the team having lost two of their opening three games in his absence.
But playing as a batsman only, Stokes could only watch as South Africa piled up a colossal 399-7 — the highest total conceded by England in a one-day international. Faced with such a huge chase, England lost early wickets, and Stokes, batting at number four, managed just one boundary in his eight-ball stay before he chipped a return catch to fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in the ninth over.
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Stokes’ dismissal was a major blow to England, who were already struggling in the chase. The team eventually lost by 100 runs, their third defeat in four games in the tournament.
Here is the video of the catch from Kagiso Rabada:
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Earlier in the game, Heinrich Klaasen, the South African middle-order batter, had smashed a maiden World Cup century to help his team post the mammoth total. Klaasen’s knock of 109 runs off 67 balls was the highlight of South Africa’s innings, which also featured contributions from David Miller (39) and Aiden Markram (42).
England’s defeat leaves them in a precarious position in the tournament. They need to win their remaining two games to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
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Ben Stokes’ early dismissal was a major blow to England’s chances of chasing down South Africa’s mammoth total. The team eventually lost by 100 runs, their third defeat in four games in the tournament. England need to win their remaining two games to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
