England crush New Zealand and clinch the series 2-1


Destructive bowling from Steven Finn and a brilliant top order batting performance  gave England a five wickets victory  over New Zealand in the final  ODI at Eden Park on Saturday to take 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 win gave England a mental boost going into the first Test Match on March 6 after before winning the T20 series 2-1.


The  early dismissal of Ian Bell for 24 runs, Alastair Cook (46) and Jonathan Trott (38). After their dismissal rapid succession, Joe Root unbeaten 28 and Eoin Morgan (39) added 56 runs for the fourth wicket before Morgan dismissed. New Zealand struggled against the pace and precision of Finn and James Anderson and were 67 for 5 after 25.

Brendon McCullum was once more the standout performer with the bat for New Zealand, smashed 79 runs from 68 deliveries. Finn at one stage had the extraordinary bowling figures of 3 for 10 off eight overs before McCullum distorted the statistics with two fours and a six in an over that leads England a quick 17 runs.


Second ODI centurion Ross Taylor scored 28 runs after a 53 runs stand with Grant Elliott (24) for the fourth wicket and the only other batsman to reached double figures was James Franklin (13) who gave Graeme Swann his 100th ODI wicket.

Finn finished with the figures of 3 for 27 off nine overs, while Stuart Broad take 2 for 38 and Anderson 1 for 34. England will play a four day Warm up match against a New Zealand XI in Queenstown before the first Test Match.

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