England defeated New Zealand by 79 runs in the second ODI at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. With this crucial win, the home side has leveled the series, now it stands 1-1 between both teams with 2 matches yet to be played.
The match was reduced to 34 overs each side due to rain. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision was proved right by New Zealand bowlers, particularly Trent Boult, who made comeback to ODI cricket after a year and it didn’t look like he missed the game at all. He removed Jonny Bairstow (6 off 8 balls), Joe Root (0 off 2 balls) and Ben Stokes (1 off 10 balls) within space of four overs.
England were 28 for 4 when Harry Brook (2 off 12 balls) departed after struggling to get going in seaming conditions. Reading the situation, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali countered with some intent, shared 27 runs partnership before captain Buttler was undone by Mitchell Santner, leaving England 55 for 5.
The rain interrupted again in the mid-overs of the first inning but the play was not halted because these were just passing light drizzles. In the meantime, Ali and Liam Livingstone tried to rebuild a partnership at a steady pace to not let England get shelled at a crucial stage. Both shared 48 runs partnership, Ali remained more intent driven and was looking good after picking up some mojo. But as England was approaching to a better position, a wonderful catch at point by Glenn Phillips cut Ali’s innings short.
At 103 for 6 at the 20.3 overs, England looked in all sorts of trouble but they bat deep and their playing method has got them out of such sorry situations many a times. Liam Livingstone, who played a good hand in the first ODI match, was looking solid in the second and he found a willing partner in Sam Curran.
Both negotiated a couple of overs cautiously before Livingstone started to play his natural game. Tim Southee wasn’t having a good day and Livingstone lined him for a couple of big overs which gave England a fine momentum in the final overs.
Livingstone scored 95 runs off 78 balls, his highest score in ODIs for England and second consecutive half century against New Zealand. Curran with his 42 off 35 balls provided the needed support. After going through all sorts of troubles in first 15 overs, England posted 226 on board which was a remarkable comeback.
Stiff Chase For New Zealand
With a new opening pair of bowlers, England looked to test their options before the World Cup. To start with, David Willey and Reece Topley were excellent in the powerplay, hitting good lenths and finding some movement. Fin Allen (0 off 2 balls) was first to depart after Willey crashed his middle stump in the very first over.
Previous match’s centurian for New Zealand, Devon Conway (14 off 24 balls) couldn’t find any rhythm on Sunday and fell prey to Gus Atkinson (1 for 23) who looked lethal with his pace. Will Young, after starting well, fell short of making his ground in the 12th over on Willey’s incredible piece of fielding at mid off.
Captain Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell shared 51 runs partnership and the game was getting edgy for England but Buttler brought back Topley who bowled well in the first spell but was wicketless. The chang worked for England as Topley broke the crucial partnership and pushed New Zealand on the backfoot.
New Zealand went from 110/3 to 123/6, all because of Topley, who in his second over of second spell, removed Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra in space of three balls. From there New Zealand never recovered really, Mitchell kept playing his shots and made 5th half century of his career but he couldn’t find a staying partner at the other end.
For last 37 runs, New Zealand lost 7 wickets as Moeen Ali completed his 100 ODI dismissals for England with the wicket of Mitchell who was looking threatning. Willey, in his second spell, removed Tim Southee and Trent Boult and New Zealand were all-out for 147 runs, losing the match to England by 79 runs.
Both teams will now meet at the Oval for the third ODI on Wednesday. The series in currently leveled 1-1.
