Partnership of the Day

Stokes, Morgan heroics lead to Australia's Champion's Trophy exit

Ben Stokes' unbeaten 102 off 109 balls is his highest ODI score, and second hundred in three innings

The 159-run partnership between Stokes and Morgan is the fourth 150-plus stand for England in the Champions Trophy, and the second in this edition  •  Getty Images

The 159-run partnership between Stokes and Morgan is the fourth 150-plus stand for England in the Champions Trophy, and the second in this edition  •  Getty Images

Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan's 159-runn stand for the fourth wicket helped England trump archrivals Australia by 40 runs in a rain-interrupted match, sending them out of the Champion's Trophy at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Australia's top order, Aaron Finch and Steven Smith, in particular handed their side a solid 96-run platform upfront after David Warner and Finch added 40-quick runs opening the innings. However, England's bowlers, Mark Wood and Adil Rashid, held their nerve - claimed four wickets each - and restricted their opponents to 277 in their innings.
England required 5.54 from the onset to put Australia out of the competition, but it wasn't a easy chase, as Australia's seamers reduced the hosts to 35 for 3 in 5.4 overs. Stokes and Morgan then came to the fore. Morgan made his intentions clear early on by clattering Mitchell Starc for two fours in the seventh over, as play resumed following rain. Stokes handed similar treatment to Pat Cummins four overs later. Morgan, hit eight fours and five sixes, before he eventually fell in the 32nd over for a 81-ball 87. Stokes remained unbeaten on 102, his third ODI ton, with 13 fours and two sixes, and guided his side home. The duo scored at 6.01 runs in the 26.1 overs that they batted together.