World Cup: Paul Collingwood claims Ben Stokes 'ridiculing' England selectors after dropped from squad

Former England captain Paul Collingwood has claimed that all-rounder Ben Stokes has made the national selectors look ridiculous for leaving him out of the World Cup squad, with his antics in first-class cricket.

Stokes was dropped after struggling at number eight in Sri Lanka in December, but after being moved up to five, the 23-year-old hit an unbeaten 151 off 86 balls for England Lions against South Africa A.

Collingwood said that what England did with Stokes is like telling Cristiano Ronaldo to play at right-back, adding that the all-rounder could've won them the World Cup, the BBC reported.

Stokes was left out of England's World Cup party in December after managing only 22 runs in two innings in Sri Lanka. However, he hit form in the Big Bash league, scoring 77 off 37 balls for Melbourne Renegades when batting at number three.

On Monday, facing an attack featuring four bowlers who have been capped by South Africa at one-day level, Stokes cracked 15 sixes, including nine from the last 15 legal deliveries he faced.

Describing his county teammate's innings as something special, Durham captain Collingwood said that the thing that frustrates him is that England were batting Stokes in the number eight position, adding that they have got to play him in the right position; whether that be four, five or six and allow the all-rounder to win games from that position.