Watch: England beat New Zealand by 108 runs in the final ODI to win the four-match series 3-1. Here are the ENG vs NZ highlights.
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At Lord’s, England posted 311-9 and bowled out New Zealand for 211 to win the ODI series by a 3-1 margin. Barring the upcoming Ireland series, these are their last matches in the format before the World Cup.
Only one England batter reached 40, but that did not prevent them from posting the highest score in men’s ODIs at Lord’s since the global lockdown.
There were two reasons behind this. Opening batting, Dawid Malan stayed put beyond the 40th over to make 127 in 114 balls, with 14 fours and three sixes. His career average stands at 61.52 and strike rate at 96; in 2023, the numbers read 73.87 and 97; in this series, 92.33 and 106.
The Player of the Match as well as of the Series here, Malan has reinforced his stake as Jonny Bairstow’s opening partner at the World Cup ahead of Jason Roy. If that happens, Harry Brook may even replace Roy in the final squad.
The other aspect that contributed towards England’s big score was their depth. Between them, No.9 David Willey and No.10 Brydon Carse hit 34 in 24 balls, and hit a six apiece. England amassed 311-9 even as Rachin Ravindra finished with 4-60.
That was not all. Tim Southee dropped Joe Root earlier in the innings and, in the process, fractured a finger. Not only did he not bat but his World Cup chances took a major hit.
The New Zealand innings never took off as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Henry Nicholls made a 48-ball 41 (two fours, one six), while Ravindra made 60 in 48 balls (three fours, four sixes), but no one else went past 25.
With 4-50, Moeen Ali ran through the middle order as New Zealand were bowled out for 211.
