Ben Stokes' Big Bash League debut has left at least one of the game's big names stunned at the youngster's omission from England's World Cup squad.
The 23-year-old made 77 runs off 37 deliveries on Wednesday night at Bellerive Oval, guiding his Melbourne Renegades to a 37-run victory over the Hobart Hurricanes.
Stokes' innings quickly drew praise from dumped England superstar Kevin Pietersen, who described the allrounder as "a star in the making".
"I cannot for the life of me believe he's not in WC," Pietersen tweeted.
Having toured Australia last summer with England for the Ashes, left-handed batsman Stokes was seen as one of the few shining lights among an otherwise dismal performance by the visitors.
Now he has returned Down Under for the Big Bash after being left out of his country's 15-man World Cup squad.
"There's not point to prove, I just want to do my best," Stokes told the Ten network after his dismissal on Wednesday.
While the other batsmen struggled on a seemingly slow Bellerive pitch on Wednesday - Renegades' Callum Ferguson was the next highest scorer with 31 - Stokes made it look easy.
"I just batted my strengths and tried to hit to my areas where I know I'm strong," he said after the match.
"It's always good to set an impression straight away."
As for being overlooked for England's World Cup squad, Stokes is not dwelling on it and instead is grateful for the Big Bash opportunity.
"It's better than sitting at home doing nothing."
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