Ben Stokes savours feeling to play for England after ‘emotional’ man-of-the-match display sees off New Zealand

New Zealand 223, England 225-4: In just his second match since returning from his England exile, Stokes hit an unbeaten 63, took two wickets and played a part in two further run-outs

Ben Stokes admitted his man-of-the-match display for England made him 'emotional' (Getty)

Ben Stokes has spoken of his relief and happiness after producing what he described as an “emotional” man-of-the-match display to inspire England to victory in the second ODI against New Zealand.

The all-rounder made his first appearance for his country in five months during Sunday’s three-wicket defeat in the series opener in Hamilton.

But England have now levelled the series at 1-1 with three to play after Stokes took two wickets, played a part in two run-outs and top-scored with an unbeaten 63 to help his team chase down 224 with 73 balls to spare at the Bay Oval.

The all-rounder missed the Ashes earlier this winter after he was suspended by the England & Wales Cricket Board for his part in a late-night incident in Bristol last September that saw him charged with affray.

Stokes is facing a trial later this year after pleading not guilty in his first court appearance the day before he flew out for this tour.

But after so long out he is finding comfort in doing what he does best – winning cricket matches for his country.

“It was very satisfying for me,” he said in his first interview since being brought back into the England fold. “I was quite emotional walking off there at the end.

“Even walking on the field for the first time and walking off tonight made me understand how much of a privilege it is to represent your country. It was a different feeling to what it is normally but it was a great feeling to be walking off there.

“I’ve been working hard at home making sure that when the opportunity came again to represent England I wasn’t going to let anyone down.

“There was relief, happiness and obviously it’s been a long time. Hopefully now this is a stepping stone on the road to trying to keep on helping England win games. We’ve got a massive summer ahead and the World Cup coming up after that as well so hopefully this is just the start of it.”

Stokes took two wickets before hitting an unbeaten 63 (Getty)

Watching the Ashes from afar was particularly hard for Stokes, especially as England were beaten 4-0 by Australia.

There is no time for looking back for Stokes though. “I’ve been following all the cricket that all the lads have been playing but what I have to do now is focus on going forward,” he said. “It was obviously frustrating to watch the Ashes. I went through all the emotions as I would have done playing but there’s not a lot I can change about that now.

“I want to contribute every time I play for England and as I said we’ve got a massive summer coming up and loads of cricket to play in the future. I just want to contribute towards that.”

Ben Stokes hit an unbeaten 63 to secure a six-wicket victory over New Zealand (Getty)

This was a victory forged on the back of an utterly ruthless display in the field from England.

The final-over loss in Hamilton last Sunday hurt a group of players who had only previously experienced three ODI defeats over the past year.

There was no question where that series opener had been lost – the collective effort in the field fell well below the exacting standard set by coach Trevor Bayliss.

This was some reply as England produced arguably their best fielding display in 50-over cricket for some years.

As well as three spectacular catches – two from Jason Roy and another from David Willey – there were four run outs. Not since 1998 against Australia at The Oval had England managed as many in one-day cricket.

Chris Woakes picked up two wickets along with Stokes (Getty)

The only frustration for England was the unbeaten 63 from Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s match-winner in Hamilton, that helped their opponents post a total above 200 after they had been 82 for five and then 147 for eight in their innings.

However, they were always in control of this match, even when they lost Roy and Joe Root early on.

Jonny Bairstow also fell, picking out third man, to leave his team 86 for three in the 16th over, his dismissal bringing Stokes to the crease.

Alongside Morgan, the all-rounder took this game away from New Zealand, the pair’s fourth-wicket partnership worth 88 by the time England’s captain was caught and bowled by Colin Munro on 62.

Stokes guided England to victory to level the series (Getty)

Morgan, dropped on 27 and 40, did ride his luck. But he reached a composed half-century in 48 deliveries by clubbing Boult to the boundary in the 27th over.

Stokes followed in the 32nd over, reaching his 11th ODI half-century in 54 balls. At that stage, England needed just 47 to win from 112 balls.

It was an equation that was never in doubt as Stokes led England home with ease alongside Jos Buttler.