Daijiworld Media Network - Wellington

Wellington, Nov 1: Hosts New Zealand produced a gritty all-round performance to edge past England by two wickets in a nail-biting finish at Sky Stadium, Wellington, completing a 3–0 clean sweep in the ODI series on Saturday.

Put in to bat first, England’s batting lineup faltered yet again as they were bowled out for 222 runs in 40.2 overs, marking their third straight collapse in the series. The visitors’ top order crumbled under pressure, losing three wickets inside the first five overs.

Jamie Smith (5), Ben Duckett (8), and Joe Root (2) fell cheaply as New Zealand’s pacers struck early. Captain Harry Brook, who had been England’s key performer in earlier games, could manage only six off 11 balls before Jacob Duffy dismissed him.

England’s innings was held together by Jos Buttler’s steady 38 and Jamie Overton’s counter-attacking 68 off 62 balls, while Brydon Carse chipped in with a brisk 36 off 30 deliveries to take England past 200.

For New Zealand, Blair Tickner continued his fine run with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Jacob Duffy added three scalps, effectively dismantling England’s middle and lower order.

Chasing 223, the BlackCaps had their own share of troubles. Openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra gave the hosts a solid start with a 78-run partnership before England struck back. Both Conway and Ravindra fell in quick succession, followed by Will Young’s dismissal, as England fought their way back into the contest.

Daryl Mitchell then anchored the innings with a composed knock, keeping New Zealand in the chase even as wickets tumbled at the other end. Some valuable late contributions from skipper Mitchell Santner, Zak Foulkes, and Blair Tickner helped the hosts inch closer to the target.

The tense chase came down to the wire, but Foulkes sealed the win with a boundary in the 45th over, sparking celebrations in the New Zealand camp.

With this victory, Santner’s men completed an emphatic 3-0 series whitewash, reaffirming their dominance at home and leaving England searching for answers after another disappointing batting display.