ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 biggest partnerships from the tournament

#4 159: Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes vs Australia, Edgbaston

Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes smashed 159 runs together to leave Australia reeling

Up against arch-rivals England, Australia were in a must-win situation to qualify for the semi-final. But a paltry total of 277/9 following twin batting collapses meant England had to chase a sub-par target. But it was not to be a canter. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc swung the ball vigorously to leave England at 35/3. Then came the rain, which allowed England to regroup. Post that break, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes were all over Australia.

Morgan hammered Starc in the first over after resumption and that triggered a brutal bombarding on Australia’s pace attack. Both punished full deliveries with fluent cover and straight drives, and when Australia pitched it short, they smashed the ball over square leg and fine leg. Neither Starc nor Hazlewood found their rhythm again as Morgan tonked eight fours and five sixes in an innings of 87 before being run out to end the 159-run partnership.

Stokes initially seemed more composed, but slowly got going with quality shots all around the park, taking a special liking for Pat Cummins whom he clobbered for eight fours. He finished on 102* and England romped home with a 40-run DLS win to make it three out of three.