BLACKCAPS v ENGLAND, THIRD ODI at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
ENGLAND 302 all out in 45.2 overs (Root 55, Morgan 71, Stokes 68, Billings 34; Southee 3-44, Wheeler 3-63) lost to the BLACKCAPS 306-7 in 49 overs (Williamson 118, Taylor 110; Willey 3-69) by three wickets
A record partnership and centuries to both Kane Williamson (118) and Ross Taylor (110) has guided the BLACKCAPS to a three-wicket win in the third One-Day International at Southampton.
The prolific duo put on 206 runs together as the BLACKCAPS chased down England’s 302. It represents the BLACKCAPS' highest ever stand for the third wicket, breaking the mark of 181 set by Adam Parore and Ken Rutherford in the 1994/95 season, and is the highest partnership in ODI history at The Ageas Bowl.
Photos: Photosport
For Taylor, the knock made it back-to-back centuries, while Williamson’s ton followed his innings of 92 at The Oval.
Following news that Trent Boult had been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a back injury, Ben Wheeler was named to make his debut and the 23-year-old fast bowler from the Devon Hotel Central Stags made an impressive start to his BLACKCAPS career, taking 3-63.
Thanks to Wheeler and Southee, who finished with 3-44, England was dismissed in 45.2 overs, losing their last five wickets for just 14 runs. The teammates would combine again in the second innings to get the BLACKCAPS across the line, Southee sending one over extra cover to the boundary to secure the victory.
Needing 303, it had been a shaky start to the pursuit for the BLACKCAPS, with both Martin Guptill (2) and Brendon McCullum (11) trapped lbw cheaply.
The partnership of Williamson and Taylor would prosper, though — reaching new heights. The pair played risk-free cricket, yet pushed the BLACKCAPS' run rate above run-a-ball.
Kane Williamson joined Ross Taylor in the century department
England captain Eion Morgan rotated his bowlers, searching for a way through their defenses, but no answers were forthcoming. The BLACKCAPS reached 242-2 before Williamson finally succumbed, well caught by Mark Wood at mid-off.
Taylor continued to anchor the innings and looked set to see his side home, but an inside edge onto the stumps left the BLACKCAPS with a nervous 14 runs still to get.
Luke Ronchi would fall, caught after having hit a tension-easing six, but there would be no denying the BLACKCAPS who got home with an over to spare.
Earlier, having been asked to bowl first, the Southampton pitch offered a little bit of movement and the tourists made a bright start with the new ball.
Wheeler bowled with good shape early on and was rewarded with his maiden international wicket, enticing the edge of Alex Hales for 23.
Ben Wheeler's maiden ODI wicket was a ripper of a delivery
Two balls later, Southee removed the other opener in Jason Roy (9), getting the ball to nip back and pin back off stump.
The momentum was quick to shift, however, with the form pair of Joe Root (54) and skipper Morgan (71) producing a swift 100-run partnership.
Playing with a flair which has been commonplace this series, the English numbers three and four both surpassed 50 and took England to 138-2 by the midpoint of the innings.
It would take a clever piece of bowling to break the stand, Mitchell Santner cramping Root and bowling him off his pads.
It was a short reprieve for the BLACKCAPS, Ben Stokes (68) in ominous touch and maintaining England’s aggressive approach.
With the home side 194-3, the BLACKCAPS turned to Williamson and on cue he produced one of his ‘golden arm’ moments.
A free-scoring Morgan looked to attack the part-time spinner, but failed to connect with one in the 33rd over, bowled. With the batting powerplay approaching, it was a crucial wicket for the BLACKCAPS.
Stokes would continue to power his side onwards and, with 10 overs remaining, England was 267-5 — and accelerating.
A hasty 34 from 16 from Sam Billings added to the BLACKCAPS' problems, but a cluster of late wickets would finally see the brakes applied. Wheeler claimed the key scalps of Billings and Stokes, before Matt Henry (2-66) and Southee made quick work of the England tail.
The BLACKCAPS bowlers did well to limit England, with another score in excess of 350 having looked likely at one stage in the innings.
The teams now head to Nottingham, where the BLACKCAPS will have a chance to claim the five-match series.
