Stokes 'emotional' after playing crucial role in England victory

The allrounder produced a match-winning performance to help the tourists see off New Zealand at the Bay Oval

^{England's Ben Stokes in action on Wednesday}

Ben Stokes admitted to being "emotional" after producing a match-winning display in England's one-day international victory over New Zealand at the Bay Oval.

Stokes, playing his second match after his return from a five-month suspension, hit 63 not out to guide the tourists to their 224-run target with six wickets and more than 12 overs to spare.

England's talisman, whose affray case goes to Bristol Crown Court on March 13, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late and he was glad to be back making a difference on the field for his country.

"It’s an amazing feeling to be back amongst the team, with all the lads and even the backroom staff," he said after the game.

^{Stokes made 63 not out and took two wickets}

"That feeling walking out the other night was amazing after all the work I put in back home and it was a bit emotional tonight walking off the field not out."

Stokes contributed two run outs and two wickets in addition to his runs and said England's display in the field was crucial to the comprehensive nature of the win, which levels the five match series at 1-1.

"Hopefully this is a stepping stone for the future with all the games we’ve got coming up," he said.

"I think [our fielding] is where we let ourselves down in the first game. I thought we were brilliant with the ball and with the bat but just a few misfields cost us in a tight game.

"We came out here tonight and I think that fielding performance showed that is where we really wanted to improve: the catching, the run outs, the energy we had in the field was 10 times better."