NZ trump England in low-scoring 3rd ODI, script 3-0 whitewash
What's the story
New Zealand have whitewashed England 3-0 with a thrilling two-wicket win in the third and final ODI at the Sky Stadium, Wellington. The game saw England post 222/10 despite yet another top-order collapse as Jamie Overton made a timely 68. The Kiwis chased down the target despite suffering a late collapse in the innings. Here are the key stats.
1st innings
Overton powers England past 200
England's top-order woes continued in this match as none of their top-five batters could even touch the 12-run mark. Though Sam Curran (17) and Jos Buttler (38) added 53 runs for the sixth wicket, England were further reduced to 102/7. They still managed to finish at 222/10, largely due to Overton's 68. He was well supported by Brydon Carse, who scored a quickfire 36.
Chase
NZ crossed the line despite collapse
NZ were off to a perfect start with openers Devon Conway (34) and Rachin Ravindra (46) adding 78 runs. Though the hosts went on to lose some more wickets, Daryl Mitchell (44) and Mitchell Santner (27) did the damage control. However, another collapse reduced the hosts to 196/8. Tail-enders Zakary Foulkes (14*) and Blair Tickner (18*) then powered the Kiwis home in 44.4 overs.
Overton
Maiden ODI fifty for Overton
Overton hit 10 fours and two sixes en route to his 62-ball 68. This was his maiden ODI fifty. As per ESPNcricinfo, only Sam Curran (95* vs India) and Chris Woakes (78 vs Australia) have higher scores while batting at eight or lower for England in away ODIs (home of opposition). With the ball, Overton claimed 2/32 from 10 overs in the game.
Tally
156 runs in the series for Overton
Despite the regular failure of England's batting order, Overton was among the runs throughout this series. He made 46 off 54 balls in the opener when England were reeling at 56/6. In the second ODI, he came at 105/6 and finished with 42(28). His tally of 156 runs in the series is only second to that of Harry Brook (176) among England batters.
Contributions
Vital knocks from Buttler and Carse
Former England captain Buttler tried to hold the innings together with a fighting 38 off 56 balls. He smashed seven fours during his stay. Brydon Carse, who scored a quickfire 36 off 30 balls while batting at nine, was the only other England batter to touch the 20-run mark in the game. His knock was laced with four maximums and a boundary.
Tickner
Tickner claims his second successive ODI four-fer
Blair Tickner was yet again the pick of the NZ bowlers, taking 4/64 in 10 overs. The second ODI of the series, which marked Tickner's first match for NZ since May 2023, saw him claim 4/34. Across 15 ODIs, Tickner has raced to 24 wickets at an average of 32.37 (ER: 6.37). Two of his three ODI four-fers came in this series.
Duffy
Three wickets for Duffy as well
Meanwhile, each of Jacob Duffy's three wickets came inside the powerplay as he finished with 3/56 from 10 overs. Playing his 17th ODI, he has completed 33 scalps at 23.45. He finished the ongoing series with seven wickets at 18.14. Meanwhile, Zakary Foulkes claimed two wickets in the third game, conceding 27 runs from eight overs.
Mitchell
Mitchell misses out on his third successive fifty
Mitchell's 68-ball 44 saw him smoke four fours and a six. The middle-order batter missed out on his third successive fifty, having made 78* and 56* in the first two games. Mitchell now has 2,219 ODI at an average of 51.60. He owns 6 tons and 11 half-centuries. 374 of his runs have come against the Brits at 93.50.
Contributions
Vital knocks from NZ trio
While Mitchell scored 44, Ravindra was the other Kiwi batter with a 40-plus score in the game. His 37-ball 46 was laced with seven fours. Ravindra's opening partner Conway made 34 off 44 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes. Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner contributed with 27 runs off 29 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes).