England’s cricket team has leveled the five match One Day International Series against New Zealand at one game apiece.
The visitors recorded a comfortable six wicket victory over the Kiwis in the second match at the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui.
Having lost the opening match in Hamilton by three wickets on Sunday, the English were looking for a improved performance, especially in the fielding department. And the visitors did it in some style after they won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat.
Seamer Chris Woakes claimed two early scalps in consecutive overs — reducing the Kiwis to nine for two.
Opener Martin Guptil provided the only significant resistance in the top order with his 34th half century, but the English were simply rampant in the field.
Jason Roy took two sharp catches at deep mid-wicket and at backward point, while some impeccable ground-fielding — which resulted in four run outs ,saw the home side reduced to 141 for seven.
Some rearguard action from Mitchell Satner took New Zealand at least past the 200 mark.
Satner scored his maiden ODI half-century — scoring an unbeaten 63 from just 52 deliveries to lift the Black Caps to 223 all out just inside their 50 overs.
Chasing such an under par score was not a challenge for the tourists.
Captain Eoin Morgan and the belligerent Ben Stokes were the mainstays of the England innings with their 88-run fourth wicket partnership.
Morgan notched up his 35th half century at a run a ball before he departed for 62 while Stokes earned the man of the match award for his unbeaten 63 ,his ninth ODI half ton.
Joss Butler’s cameo of 36 from just 20 deliveries saw England secure a six wicket win with well over 10 overs to spare to end the Kiwis nine match winning streak in One Day cricket.
“We wanted to comeback after the first game, we thought our fielding let us down in Hamilton we stepped that intensity up in this game. To restrict them to 223 was really good job by the bowlers and the partnership me and Morgie put on Good to get some time out in the middle.”
The next match in the series is another day/night affair in Wellington on Sunday.
