THE Melbourne Renegades succeeded where the England selectors have failed yesterday by recognising that batting is Ben Stokes's stronger suit.

Following the astonishing decision to leave him out of the England World Cup squad, theDurham all-rounder was sent in at No 3 in his first outing in Australia's Twenty20 tournament, the Big Bash, and thrashed 77 off 37 balls.

He was reported to be the only batsman in the match who looked comfortable on a tricky pitch at the Bellerive Oval as the Renegades beat Hobart Hurricanes by 36 runs.

After the early loss of Aaron Finch, who played for Yorkshire last season, Stokes went in with the score on five for one and departed at

106 for three after hitting eight fours and five sixes.

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen were quick to praise Stokes on Twitter, expressing their disbelief at his exclusion from the World Cup squad.

Vaughan wrote: “When I watch @benstokes38 I can only think England haven't quite got it right with him yet ... Huge talent ...

“Just a reminder @benstokes38 was the only England player to stand up in Australia last winter ... He likes the conditions ...”

Pietersen, also left out of England's plans after his sacking 11 months ago, was another to remind the selectors of his talents this week with a Big Bash half-century.

He tweeted: “@benstokes38 is a star in the making. He's showing it this eve! Good on him! I cannot for the life of me believe he's not in WC.”

In recent outings in England's one-day side Stokes has had to bat as low as eight and has failed to impress with the ball. He was the sixth bowler used by the Renegades, his one over costing nine runs as Hobart were dismissed for 127.

The opposition included Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan, who took none for 32 in four overs.

England Lions, meanwhile, drew their opening tour match against a Gauteng Invitation X1 in Soweto, the hosts hanging on at 120 for eight in their second innings.

Skipper Jonathan Trott, one of the few first innings failures, scored an unbeaten 79 in the Lions' second innings before declaring on 176 for five.

Yorkshire's Adil Rashid, with two for 14 in eight overs, was the only bowler to take more than one wicket in Gauteng's second innings.

Durham's Mark Wood followed his four for 29 in the first innings by taking one for 11 in five overs.