Drawing level: 398 just about enough for New Zealand

England fall 13 runs short under D/L after rain halted their momentum in second ODI

LONDON: Ross Taylor’s century laid the platform for New Zealand’s nervy 13-run win under the Duckworth/Lewis method against England in the second ODI at The Oval on Friday as the Black Caps levelled the five-match series 1-1.

Taylor’s unbeaten 119 and Kane Williamson’s 93 were the cornerstone of a total of 398-6; the highest against England in ODIs, surpassing the 387-5 by India at Rajkot in 2008.

Chris Jordan’s 1-97 in nine overs equalled the England record for the most expensive figures in an ODI innings, with former pacer Stephen Harmison also conceding 97 runs, but in 10 wicketless overs, against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2006.

The most England had made batting second to win an ODI was 306-5 against Pakistan in Karachi in 2000.

England, who had themselves compiled a national record 408-9 in a 210-run win in the series opener at Edgbaston on Tuesday by 210 runs, saw skipper Eoin Morgan make a quickfire 88 to raise hopes of a miraculous chase. However, with the hosts 345-7, rain stopped play.

When the match resumed, England needed 34 to win off 13 balls to reach a revised target of 379 in 46 overs but it proved beyond them.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was quick to praise the opposition after the win. “[A score of] 400 should be plenty but England are playing a completely different brand of cricket now,” said the 33-year-old. “I thought it was an outstanding game. Neither team deserved to lose and the weather probably helped us a bit.”

England threatened a stunning upset during a fifth-wicket stand of 96 between Morgan and Jos Buttler. But when Morgan was caught at deep point by Grant Elliott off Mitchell McClenaghan, to end a blistering 47-ball knock, England were 274-6.

Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid then combined to give England hope but their momentum was broken by the rain. Following the rain, Plunkett (44) and Rashid (34) both holed out against off-spinner Nathan McCullum.

Rashid looked to have hit a six but fell to a brilliant piece of teamwork, Tim Southee throwing the ball back in from over the rope for a leaping Trent Boult to complete the catch.

That left England needing 24 off six balls and it proved just beyond them as they finished on 365-9.

“I’m disappointed with our fielding and our execution with the ball — but the way we went about the chase, all credit goes to the guys, and to New Zealand,” said Morgan. “We know we bat deep and Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett were outstanding tonight.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2015.

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