BEN Stokes, who was omitted from England’s World Cup squad, smashed an unbeaten 151 off 86 balls for England Lions against South Africa A. The Durham all-rounder hit 15 sixes, including nine from the last 15 legal deliveries he faced.

Stokes’ century lifted England to 378-6 from 50 overs in the fourth one-day match in Pretoria.
He then took 3-51 as the Lions bowled out the hosts for 289 for an 89-run win and an unassailable 3-0 series lead.
Stokes was dropped by England after the fourth of seven one-day internationals in Sri Lanka in December.
Paul Collingwood, the Durham captain and former England all-rounder who will be part of the Scotland coaching staff at the World Cup, tweeted: “He’s not a bad cricketer this @benstokes38.
“One day he might win a World Cup for his country… but not this one.”
Stokes enjoyed success in the Big Bash league, scoring 77 off 37 balls for Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes. He took 4-22 against South Africa A in the first one-dayer.
His latest eye-catching display came against an attack featuring four bowlers who have been capped by South Africa at one-day level.
England, meanwhile, struggled for consistency in the recent one-day tri-series against Australia and India.
Batsmen Moeen Ali, Joe Root and all-rounders Ravi Bopara and Chris Woakes all averaged below 30 across the five matches.
The World Cup starts on February 14, when England face co-hosts Australia in Melbourne. (BBC Sport)