After losing the first game, England showed their fighting spirits to come back strongly in the four match ODI series against New Zealand. The hosts looked to gear up the preparations as they looked to defend the World Cup title next month. New Zealand on the other hand was determined to avenge their agonizing defeat at the hands of English in the final of the last championship final.

Team Lineups

England

1.Johny Bairstow 2. Dawid Malan 3. Joe Root 4. Ben Stokes 5. Josh Butler (Cap.) (WK) 6. Liam Livingstone 7. Moeen Ali  8. Sam Curran 9. Chris Woakes 10. Gus Atkinson 11. Reece Topley

New Zealand

1 Devon Conway  2. Will Young 3. Henry Nicholls 4. Daryl Mitchell 5. Tom Latham (Cap. WK) 6. Glenn Phillips 7. Rachin Ravindra 8. Kyle Jamieson 9. Lockie Ferguson 10. Trent Boult 11. Benjamin Lister

Tom Latham won the toss and sent the English to have a bat first. 

Captaincy & Tactics

Tom Latham started pretty well after deploying his best weapon in the form of Trent Boult. But the New-Zealander could not provide any answer to the domination of English batsmen. His decision to provide the old ball to Boult turned out to be fruitful as England finished poorly.

Joss Butler displayed cricketing acumen as England bowlers stifled the breath out of New Zealand innings. He also used the part-timer Livingstone wisely to bowl New Zealand out before they reach 200.

Batting Analysis

England’s top order failed to contribute much because of the brilliant swing bowling from Trent Boult. Ben Stokes came to the crease when the hosts were reeling at 13/2 from 2.4 overs. It was just a one man show from there on. He scored a stroke-filled 182 from just 124 balls becoming the highest individual scorer for England in ODI cricket.

The charismatic all-rounder hit 15 fours and 9 sixes to post the highest score ever by a non-opening batsman. The New Zealand born cricketer continues his country of origin against whom Stokes now averages at a healthy 55.10. 

Dawid Malan complemented the innings of Stokes by making 96 runs on his own. The left-hander will surely feel disappointed to miss out on an international run just by 4 runs. England looked to be well on course to reach the 400 mark but fell well short by losing the last six wickets within 32 runs.

New Zealnd’s innings never got going by losing the first four wickets within 37 runs. Glenn Phillps was the only one to provide some resistance against the English bowling onslaught. The South African born batsman batted with resilience and flamboyance to score 76 from 72 balls.

Despite his valiant effort, New Zealand got all out at the score 187. This is the first time the Black Caps have failed to reach 200 in the ODI format after they were all out 89 in Melbourne by Australia last year. 

Bowling Analysis

Trent Boult took time off from the national team to play in different franchise T20 leagues. But the quick bowler seemed to be in perfect gaming condition as he picked a fifer with a brilliant display of swing bowling. He removed both the openers and was too hot to handle for the tail-enders as England collapsed to some extent by finishing well short of 400. 

The English bowlers hunted in packs to upset the rhythm of their opponents. The ever reliable Chris Woakes came back to the side and claimed three wickets and his opening bowling partner Topley picked up a couple of scalps. 

Liam Livingstone played a pivotal role by claiming three and took his international tally to six. The part-timer can be a deciding factor at the World Cup on the spin-friendly wickets of India next month.

Fielding Analysis

England and New Zealand have been renowned for their athleticism and fitness. Joss Butler produced impressive glove work to claim two dismissals. Moeen Ali and Sam Curran also clutched onto everything that came their way. 

Glenn Phillips almost produced a magical moment during the England innings. when he dived like a hawk in an attempt to catch Moeen Ali out. But he could not grab on to it and it reached the boundary. 

Key Performances

Ben Stokes made an epic comeback to ODl cricket to smash the highest ever innings by an English batter in the 50 over format. He found a perfect partner in Dawid Malan who scored a well made 96. Trent Boult became the highest five wicket haul taker for New Zealand with a wonderful display of bowling. 

Glenn Phillips was the standout batsman for the New Zealanders as he scored a quickfire 72 runs. But the England quicks along with the three wickets from Livingstone made sure of their heaviest defeat in terms of runs in the last 13 months. 

Turning Point

Ben Stokes’ innings came at a time when England were in dire straits in search of inspiration. The England all-rounder turned the game on its head with a display of batting of the highest order. His partnership of 199 with Malan for the third wicket set a solid foundation for the bowlers to pick up a solid victory and get the English noses ahead in the series. 

Match Result

England demolished New Zealand by a huge margin of 181 runs

Player of the Match

Ben Stokes was adjudged as the player of the match for his record breaking century

Brief Scorecard

Match Highlights

Match Wrap-Up

England struggled early on and it’s their old talisman Ben Stokes who came to rescue them. The Three Lions posted a huge total to chase down. New Zealand never looked to be on course with the chase and in the end fell short by a huge margin. The hosts take a crucial 2-1 lead in the series as we move to Lord’s on Friday for the final showdown of the series. 

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