CROCK OF GOLD

Hop-along Stokes delays op and produces the goods

- DEAN WILSON

BEN STOKES said he would not leave his team-mates 'hanging' by ducking out of the World Cup early for surgery.

And they were grateful for his decision to stick it out with a first World Cup hundred that secured a 160-run win that could end up securing their place in the next Champions Trophy.

"No, I don't leave anyone hanging," said Stokes, who made 108 from 84 balls. "It has been a tough World Cup but good to get back on winning terms again.

"I'm more pleased to get the victory than the hundred to be honest, I was trying to take it deep and then cash in at the end, and I used the scoreboard as my friend."