England vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Buttler and Root pulverise New Zealand

Buttler smashed the second-fastest ODI century by an England batsman

Buttler smashed the second-fastest ODI century by an England batsman

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and batsman Joe Root both hammered quickfire centuries to demolish New Zealand by 210 runs in the first ODI at Edgbaston.

Buttler and Root were well supported by leg-spinner Adil Rashid and captain Eoin Morgan, who made 69 and 50 respectively.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum would have been delighted with his decision to bowl first as Trent Boult dismissed England opener Jason Roy off the very first ball of the innings.

Root and Alex Hales made up for the loss of Roy with a 50-run partnership before Hales was caught by Matt Henry at backward square leg off the bowling of Boult for 20.

Root and Morgan kept the runs flowing with a 121-run stand, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Morgan was given out lbw off the bowling of Mitchell McClenaghan.

Morgan reviewed the decision right away, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the stumps. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.

Morgan’s solid knock of 50 came off 46 balls and included one boundary and three sixes.

Morgan scored his 23rd ODI half-century

Morgan scored his 23rd ODI half-century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Root went on to score 104 off 78 deliveries, which included 13 boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Boult.

Root celebrates after scoring his fifth ODI century

Root celebrates after scoring his fifth ODI century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Ben Stokes only made 10 runs before he was clean bowled by Boult.

Debutant Sam Billings fared no better as he was given out lbw off the bowling of New Zealand debutant Mitchell Santner for three runs.

Billings was not given out initially, but McCullum decided to review the decision. Luckily for him, replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to crash into middle stump. This led to the third umpire overturning the original decision.

With England on the verge of collapsing, Buttler and Rashid came to the rescue with a 177-run partnership, which is now the highest seventh-wicket stand in ODI history.

During their record-breaking partnership, Buttler registered his second ODI century and Rashid his maiden half-century, before Buttler was caught by Henry at square leg off the bowling of McClenaghan.

Buttler’s career-best knock of 129 came off 77 balls and included 13 boundaries and five sixes.

Chris Jordan mustered two runs before he was caught by Boult at short third man off the bowling of Grant Elliott.

Rashid ended up scoring a career-best 69 off 50 deliveries, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, as England finished on 408/9 off their 50 overs, which is now their highest score in ODI history.

Rashid made a career-best 69

Rashid made a career-best 69

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Boult was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while McClenaghan and Elliott snapped up two wickets apiece and Santner chipped in with one.

Chasing a mammoth target of 409 to win, none of the New Zealand batsmen, with the exception of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, got out of the starting blocks.

Taylor ended up being New Zealand’s top scorer with 57 runs, which came off 54 balls and included five boundaries and a six. Williamson meanwhile amassed 45 runs off 43 deliveries, which included eight boundaries.

Taylor made a gutsy 57

Taylor made a gutsy 57

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

With all the other New Zealand batsmen failing to fire, the Black Caps were dismissed for 198, giving England a 210-run win, which is now their biggest margin of victory in terms of runs in ODI history.

Rashid and Steven Finn took four wickets apiece, while Jordan claimed one.

McCullum was disappointed with his side’s performance, and said: “It was good after the first ball but then there were two outstanding performances so credit to England, they blew us off the park. I probably got it wrong at the toss, it didn’t swing and the ball held up a bit in the second innings but don’t take anything away from England it was a complete performance.

“We did really way to get back in the game by taking wickets. At 200 for 6, we felt like we could chase 250-300 but that seventh wicket played with no fear and it’s tough when guys get in like that and we need to get better with the ball and stronger in our plans. We knew England would play positively but didn’t expect 400! They just kept coming at us. We knew we had to hold firm and keep taking wickets but the game just got away from us. Tim Southee should be fine for the next match, he came up a bit sore after the Tests.”

Morgan was delighted to have taken a 1-0 lead in the series, and said: “The guys were outstanding today and considering what we asked the guys to do two days ago we have certainly started well. I’m surprised it’s happened so quickly but given that we have two or three new faces I thought we were brilliant. Joe was brilliant and then Jos was unbelievable. The closer we can get to this performance today on a regular basis now, the better we become. The comeback for Adil is nice, it was ideal for him having 400 on the board, he turns it both ways and is a very valuable asset.

“The guys executed really well today and I thought they were brilliant today. You can look back and wonder about the World Cup but today I’m looking forward and I’m really excited. The more games we can get into the young guys before now the next World Cup the better we’ll become. Jason and Sam are the calibre of athletes we want in our team but it’s going to take some time for them to set in.”

Buttler was named Man of the Match, and said: “With 400 on the board we could be really attacking, the pressure was on them and to win by such a margin gives everyone a boost of confidence moving forward. There was a game within a game at 200 for 6, Brendon used his front-line bowlers at that stage but we got through it and cashed in during the last ten.

“But to be in that position after 30 overs is credit to the way we played up top, Joe in particular. Adil bowled fantastically well, I always felt in the game, he bowled with great control and enjoyed some attacking fields.”

Leave a Reply