3rd ODI: Lethal Finn spell ensures series-win for England

Tourists thrash New Zealand by five wickets.

AUCKLAND:

Devastating bowling from Steven Finn and a solid top-order batting display gave England a five wicket win over New Zealand in the deciding One-Day International (ODI) at Eden Park yesterday to claim the series 2-1.

After New Zealand were dismissed for an unchallenging 185 in an innings that ended 37 balls short of their 50 overs, England overhauled the target in a rapid 37.3 overs.

The victory gives England a psychological boost going into the first Test on March 6 after earlier winning the Twenty20 series 2-1.

Following the early dismissal of Ian Bell for 24, Alastair Cook (46) and Jonathan Trott (38) made the most of the flat track and short boundaries at Eden Park to effortlessly carve out a 67-run second-wicket partnership.

Jos Buttler came and went for three, leaving Chris Woakes (not out three) to bat out the innings with Root whose undefeated stand lifted his average to an impressive 81.50 after eight ODI innings.

New Zealand struggled against the pace and accuracy of Finn and James Anderson and were 67 for five after 25 overs, while England at the same stage were untroubled at 120 for three.

Captain Brendon McCullum was again the standout performer with the bat for New Zealand, cracking 79 from 68 balls after his side had been firmly on the backfoot.

Finn ended with figures of three for 27 off nine overs. “Our job is to take wickets in the first 10 overs,” said Finn. “Thankfully we’ve done that in the last couple of games and that’s what seems to have pegged New Zealand back early.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2013.