In a tense and low-scoring affair in Wellington, New Zealand secured a two-wicket victory over England to complete a clean sweep of their three-match One-Day International series. The win was sealed with 32 balls to spare, capping off a dominant performance by the hosts.
England, batting first after losing the toss, found themselves in immediate trouble on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers. Their top order faltered dramatically, collapsing to 44 for 5. A spirited lower-order fightback, led by Jamie Overton’s 68 and valuable contributions from Brydon Carse (36) and Jos Buttler (38), helped the tourists post a total of 222. For New Zealand, seamer Blair Tickner was the chief destroyer, finishing with figures of 4-64.
The chase began steadily for New Zealand, with openers Devon Conway (34) and Rachin Ravindra (46) laying a solid foundation with a 78-run partnership. However, England’s bowlers, led by Sam Curran and Jamie Overton, fought back admirably, taking regular wickets to keep the contest alive.
The match swung decisively in the middle overs as New Zealand lost wickets in clusters, including a crucial run-out of captain Tom Latham. At 188 for 6, the game was in the balance. The experienced Daryl Mitchell (44) then steadied the innings with a composed knock, guiding his team toward the target before falling with victory in sight.
The final drama unfolded with the tailenders at the crease. Needing 27 runs with just two wickets in hand, Blair Tickner (18 not out) and Zak Foulkes (10 not out) displayed remarkable composure, navigating the pressure to hit the winning runs and spark celebrations for the home side.
The result underscores concerns for England’s batting lineup ahead of major tournaments, having failed to post a commanding total throughout the series. New Zealand, conversely, showcased their depth and resilience, with different players stepping up at critical moments to secure a comprehensive series victory.