PRETORIA: Ben Stokes, controversially omitted from the England World Cup squad, struck 15 sixes during an unbeaten 151 to help England Lions defeat South Africa ‘A’ on Monday in a one-day match.

Batting at No. 5, Stokes also hit seven fours off 86 balls during 117 minutes at the crease as the visitors triumphed by 89 runs.

Bowlers who suffered during Stokes’ surge included former senior South African internationals Marchant de Lange (0-81) and Mthokozisi Shezi (0-74).

England Lions made 378-6 in 50 overs and the South Africans were all out for 289 in 42.5 overs at Mamelodi Oval in a Pretoria township.

Stokes was dropped by England after four of seven One-day Internationals in Sri Lanka two months ago due to a poor all-round game, particularly his bowling.

But former England stars Ian Botham, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood have criticised his exclusion from the squad for the World Cup, which begins in Australia and New Zealand this month.

Stokes then claimed three wickets for 51 runs as the tourists bowled out the home side for 289.

Stokes took 46 balls to reach his 50, but just another 40 to add his next 101 runs in a magnificent display of power-hitting. His belted his last 50 runs in 13 balls.

England Lions lead their five-match series against South Africa ‘A’ 3-0.

Published in Dawn February 4th , 2015

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