New Zealand vs England 2nd ODI: Stokes’ all-round performance flattens New Zealand

Ben Stokes 63 not out two wickets New Zealand England 2nd ODI Mount Maunganui cricket

Ben Stokes excelled with both the bat and ball

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England all-rounder Ben Stokes struck an unbeaten 63 and took two wickets as his side cruised to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui.

With Stokes receiving excellent support from captain Eoin Morgan, who made 62, England levelled the series at 1-1.

Furthermore, it snapped New Zealand’s nine-game winning streak in the format.

Choosing to bowl first, England all-rounder Chris Woakes took out Colin Munro and debutant Mark Chapman early on to leave New Zealand in a spot of bother at 9/2.

Just as the Black Caps were recovering from the double strike, Ross Taylor was run out by David Willey for 10 runs.

Opening batsman Martin Guptill, who has survived until this point, went on to make 50 off 87 balls, which included seven boundaries, before he was dismissed by Moeen Ali.

Martin Guptill 50 New Zealand England 2nd ODI Mount Maunganui cricket

Martin Guptill struck his 34th half-century in ODI cricket

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Henry Nicholls and wicketkeeper Tom Latham fell shortly after, but Colin de Grandhomme struck a quickfire 38 before he was run out by Jonny Bairstow.

Despite stand-in Tim Southee also being run out, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson halted England’s charge with a 69-run partnership, during which Santner surpassed his half-century.

Ferguson ended up making 19 runs before being caught by Adil Rashid at mid-off off the bowling of Stokes.

New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 223 when Trent Boult was run out by Stokes for two runs.

Santner was left stranded on a career-best 63 not out, which came off 52 balls and included six boundaries and a six.

Mitchell Santner 63 New Zealand England 2nd ODI Mount Maunganui cricket

Mitchell Santner scored his maiden ODI fifty

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Woakes, Moeen and Stokes picked up two wickets apiece.

Chasing 224 to win, England were dealt a big blow in the fourth over as opener Jason Roy was caught by Santner at square leg off the bowling of Boult for eight runs.

Joe Root didn’t fare much better as he was brilliantly caught by De Grandhomme off the bowling of Boult for nine runs.

Bairstow and Morgan added 39 runs to their team’s score before Bairstow was sent packing by Ferguson for 37.

Morgan and Stokes steadied thing with an 88-run stand, during which Morgan surpassed his fifty, before he was caught and bowled by Munro for a 63-ball 62, which included six boundaries and three sixes.

Eoin Morgan 62 New Zealand England 2nd ODI Mount Maunganui cricket

Eoin Morgan made his 35th ODI fifty

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Stokes and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler finished things off with an unbeaten 51-run stand, during which Stokes registered his half-century.

Stokes ended up making 63 off 74 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six, while Buttler remained undefeated on 36 off 20 deliveries, which included two boundaries and three sixes.

Boult was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Ferguson and Munro claimed one wicket each.

Southee was disappointed with his side’s performance, and said: “We scraped through to something, but never easy when you hand the opposition four run-outs. The effort from the bowlers was top draw. Hard to get away again. We needed wickets, a couple, it was game on, but we couldn’t keep getting wickets through the middle.

“A decent surface, we were left light. Nothing changes to our preparation, we have done it all summer. Taylor will be assessed in the next couple of days.”

Morgan was pleased to have levelled the series, and said: “We raised our intensity, the tone was set with the ball. As good a fielding performance as we could have hoped for. With the wind, it reminded us of playing in West Indies, we try to use that as an extra fielder.

“A good surface to field on, the bowlers created the pressure. Slowly building momentum in this series. Ben’s a big character, he lifts everyone in the squad.”

Stokes was named Man of the Match, and said: “We wanted to come back after the first game, we stepped that intensity up in this game. Good to get some time out in the middle. Good to get out here, train and implement it in the games, hopefully that’s a stepping stone.

“Can be tough on the body (training before the game). We keep our chat about the game short and sharp. We showed how good a fielding side we are tonight.”

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