England registers a thumping victory over New Zealand

England won the third ODI against New Zealand by seven wickets. The young and energetic English team gave a spectacular overall performance to clinch this victory and level the series 2-2. The last ODI will be played this Saturday on 2o June at Chester-le-Street.

After winning the toss in the third ODI at Nottingham, New Zealand, boldly took the decision to bat first. The exceptional batting by Kane Williamson who scored 90 runs were a thrill to watch for the fans in the stadium. This 90 runs were inclusive of 12 splendid four’s and one six. Openers Martin Guptill and skipper Brendon McCullum gave a good opening partnership. Brendon McCullum, who scored 35 runs, lost his wicket to Mark Wood and got caught behind by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Later Kane Williamson gave a treat of beautiful batting performance, but was 10 runs short for his century when bowler Willey took his wicket.

The 50’s and 40’s of Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot and the explosive batting by Mitchell Santner who scored 44 runs in 19 balls took the score of New Zealand up on 349 for the loss of 7 wickets in complete 50 overs.  David Willey and Ben Stokes were the only successful bowlers who picked up two wickets each. It was clear that the English bowlers were suffering and having a tough time applying the break to the running score card of New Zealand.

When England came to defend the score of 350, English batsmen did not succumb to the huge total on board and in fact, the openers Jason Roy (38 runs) and Alex Hales (67 runs) didn’t give up their wickets till the score card reached 100. Both the players got out back to back and the pressure got built up on the English side. But then Joe Root and skipper Eoin Morgan just took the match away from the New Zealand as the firework of runs just didn’t stop. Joe Root’s brilliant 106 runs from97 balls and the bravo performance by Captain Morgan who scored 113 runs from just 82 balls hiked the run rate to 7.96! Root hit 13 fours and Morgan pushed the ball 12 times to the boundary. He also hit 5 spectacular sixes that went all over the stadium. He lost his wicket to Tim Southee when the score of England had already reached 309 runs. With the help of Ben Stokes, Joe Root carried on the baton and in just 44 overs reached the target of 350 runs.

New Zealand’s bowling department faced the same situation as the English bowlers and the target on board looked very meagre when Root and Morgan hitting the ball to the boundaries. Eoin Morgan was awarded the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance in the match. He also received a standing ovation from the crowd for his outrageous knock of 113 runs.