RECORD PLAYER

Stokes' knock proves he is greatest of a generation

- DEAN WILSON

BEN STOKES is cricket’s ultimate team man but he claimed yet another incredible personal record to show why he is the greatest England player of his generation.

Stokes’ innings of 182 at The Oval set a new benchmark for the highest ODI knock by an England player, toppling Jason Roy’s peak of 180, but most importantly set up a whopping 181-run win over New Zealand to take a 2-1 series lead with one to play.

With the ever-reliable Chris Woakes coming to the boil with the ball to take 3-31 and put the skids under the Kiwis’ chase, England’s 368 all out was never in danger.