England overturned their miserable Westpac Stadium record as they held their nerve to defy home centurion Kane Williamson and close out a four-run victory to go 2-1 up in the one-day international series.
In a thrillingly unpredictable contest, played on a poor pitch, Williamson (112no) and Mitchell Santner resuscitated the chase – with a dash of controversy thrown in – as the Kiwis recovered from 103 for six in a resourceful stand of 96.
Get in!! Dot ball to finish!A win by four runs to take 2-1 lead in series!#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/eGrjFhBxIX
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 3, 2018
At a venue where England had lost all their four previous ODIs, including back-to-back hammerings by New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the 2015 World Cup, spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid wreaked havoc as the Kiwis collapsed from 80 for one in reply to 234 all out.
In a spin
New Zealand need 36 runs to win from 30 balls!
Follow live: https://t.co/M01p2Yvn1h #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/qA6AOVrLGC
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 3, 2018
The Westpac pitch favoured bowlers of all types, but eight wickets for 123 fell to spin across both innings. New Zealand’s slow left-armer Santner must be wondering what he was playing at in his two early wicketless overs for 12 runs – never to return
Tweet of the day
Great win for @englandcricket lads. Top work from @chriswoakes again. Brilliant from @MoeenAli & @AdilRashid03 through the middle.. But Why does @MitchelSantner bat so low for NZ?? He looks one of there better batters.. #NZvENG #2-1
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 3, 2018
Wellington woe is history
What a game. Woakes delivers a final ball dot and @englandcricket go 2-1 up. A four run win. Kane Williamson leading the way for New Zealand with 112*. Scoring | https://t.co/GXKz8Kr8zR #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/vWRuWK4F5S
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 3, 2018
Before this victory, England had mustered a top score of 130 against the hosts in three previous ODI trouncings at this venue. They also lost to Sri Lanka here in the last World Cup, by nine wickets despite topping 300 on that occasion. Cake Tin redemption appeared highly unlikely at one stage, but was duly delivered.
Stat of the day
What next?
‘They are a very good side. They cover all bases in ODI cricket’ #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/JJVo426fKg
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 3, 2018
England reconvene on the South Island with a chance of closing out series victory in Dunedin on Wednesday.
