The all-rounder came in when England were wobbling but set up a big total, then took a wonder catch and the last two South Africa wickets to deliver a convincing victory
According to the ICC the average age of people who have bought tickets for this World Cup is 40, but one would never have known it on Thursday morning. It felt as if there were 25,000 children spilling out of the tube stations and pouring up Harleyford Road towards the Oval.
Everyone who cares feels a bit like a little kid again on days such as this, especially now England have a team worth getting childishly excited about. So the stands rang with that very particular sound, unique to a cricket ground, the happy chitter‑chatter of people who have escaped adult life for the day and are waiting for the start of play.
Written by Andy Bull at the Oval
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/may/30/ben-stokes-firestarter-firefighter-england-world-cup-south-africa under the title “Ben Stokes goes from Firestarter to firefighter with dazzling display | Andy Bull”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
