Thrilling finale excites New Zealand coach

The highly entertaining series is locked at 2-2 going into the decider in Durham.

NOTTINGHAM: New Zealand coach Mike Hesson believes Saturday’s deciding ODI against England in Durham will provide a “fantastic finale” to an enthralling series.

England ensured a winner-takes-all clash at Chester-le-Street after levelling the five-match campaign at 2-2 with a stunning seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

New Zealand appeared to be well-placed after making 349-7 but England romped to victory with six overs to spare following a third-wicket stand of 198 between Joe Root (106 not out) and skipper Eoin Morgan (113).

“It’s been a very entertaining four matches,” said Hesson. “Obviously, getting down to Durham should be a fantastic finale.”

There is no doubt that, aware of the class of their opponents, a revamped England have raised their white-ball game so far this series.



Not that Hesson takes any pride in England’s revival. “We’ll feel much prouder if we win the series,” he said. “We play the game in the right spirit and we think we play an entertaining brand, but it’s all about winning games.”

New Zealand, without injured left-arm paceman Trent Boult, saw their attack take a pounding on Wednesday — Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales leading the way with a quickfire 67 on his home ground.

England lost Hales and fellow opener Jason Roy in quick succession but the tourists couldn’t stem the tide of runs.

“At 111-2, the game was sort of in the balance,” said Hesson. “The way Hales took the game away at the start, we do that to many sides ourselves, so we know that it makes a big chase look a lot smaller. Then Joe and Eoin played exceptionally well. We struggled to create any pressure at all, pretty much going at eight an over the whole time.”

Wednesday’s match also featured another big stand from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, who put on 101 at Trent Bridge following a partnership of 206 during New Zealand’s three-wicket win in Southampton on Sunday, where they both made hundreds.

Williamson almost scored back-to-back tons, his 90 in Nottingham coming after his superb 118 at the Rose Bowl.

“It was selfless from Kane, he knew we needed impetus, so he wasn’t trying to get a hundred. He played for the team,” said Hesson. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th,  2015.

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