David Grant 22/02/2013
New Zealand v England
England have resumed the second leg of their tour of New Zealand in the one day format and on Wednesday morning clawed their way back into contention with an impressive win against the black caps in Napier. Last Friday England comprehensively overhauled New Zealand’s meagre 139 in the final T20 international in blistering fashion to scoop the 2020 series. Alex Hales (80* and Michael Lumb (53*) set England’s highest ever opening partnership in a run chase inspired by England’s prolific work in the field which pegged New Zealand back to a total well within England’s grasp yet the six hitting distain of Alex Hales, clearing the roof of the Westpac Stadium in Wellington will provide the selectors with a timely reminder of his batting prowess potentially for the longer formats.
Meanwhile, England, who slumped to another one day series loss in India this January collapsed to a defeat in the first ODI at Hamilton with a catastrophic collapse, losing their last six wickets for 38 runs. Young Kiwi, Kane Williamson showed the tourists how to bat as his 74 anchored the chase on a track ably assisting England’s fast bowlers until a typically swashbuckling 69* from Brendon McCullum finished England off.
The resourcefulness engrained into the English side was exemplified in England’s revival on Wednesday as they returned to the scene of their 340 run tie at McLean Park in 2008 with a resounding victory. After a shaky start New Zealand posted 269 as Ross Taylor scored his first international hundred since returning from his contract dispute and Brendon McCullum bludgeoned 74 from just 36 deliveries but James Anderson’s second ODI five wicket haul curtailed their innings. England’s openers made hay of New Zealand’s weak pace attack as young Yorkshireman Joe Root set the foundations to an eight wicket win as he benefitted from profligacy in the field to accumulate 79 off just 56 balls to complete the chase and set up an exhilarating decider in Auckland which will provide impetus for the three match test series in which England are hot favourites to prevail after their success on the subcontinent during the winter.