NAPIER: A five-wicket haul for James Anderson backed by a
dominant England batting display set up an eight wicket win over New
Zealand in the second one-day international in Napier on Wednesday.
Facing a series defeat after an upset loss in the first match in
Hamilton, England bounced back after standout performances from Anderson
and up-and-coming batsman Joe Root.
England’s top order rose to the occasion, with half centuries to
captain Alastair Cook (78), Jonathan Trott (65) and Root (79), the
22-year-old tipped as a future star.
But the foundation for England’s victory came from a miserly five for
34 from Anderson, who swept through New Zealand’s batters to restrict
the home side’s total.
His scalps included both the Black Caps opening batsmen and a
rejuvenated Ross Taylor, whose century late in New Zealand’s innings
threatened to set England a formidable total, along with a quickfire 74
from 36 balls from Brendon McCullum.
The Black Caps made a slow start after being sent into bat on a tame
wicket, all out for 269 after 48.5 overs, with England reaching the
target of 270 after 47.4 overs.
Missing injured opener Martin Guptill, New Zealand were pedestrian,
with the first boundary coming when Hamish Rutherford pulled a delivery
from Anderson in the fifth over.
Anderson dismissed openers BJ Watling (7) and ODI debutant Rutherford
(11) cheaply as New Zealand’s frustration mounted and the home side
were on just 22 runs after 12 overs.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor gradually increased the run rate,
putting on 72 runs together to take the Black Caps to 91 before
Williamson (33) dragged a ball from Chris Woakes on to his stumps to
again slow the host’s momentum.
New Zealand’s struggle was apparent when Taylor, in his best
performance since returning to the international fold after being axed
as captain late last year, brought up his half century off 81 balls with
only three fours.
Backed by McCullum, his successor as captain, Taylor notched a
century off 116 balls with a four but was dismissed by the next delivery
he faced.
The New Zealand tail failed to fire, leaving England with a tricky but achievable target.
England’s Ian Bell and Alastair Cook made a brisk start to the run chase
with an opening partnership of 89 in the first 20 overs before
part-time spinner Williamson dismissed Bell for 44.
The England batsman attempted to cart Williamson’s delivery over
mid-wicket but was out when Hamish Rutherford made an athletic dash to
catch him on the boundary.
Cook brought up a chanceless 50 from 67 balls, including five fours
and one six, bit he was dismissed on 78 after hitting the ball straight
back down the wicket to Tim Southee.
Trott and Root then combined the see England home, with Root
displaying a wide variety of shots ranging from authoritative drives to
risky reverse sweeps.