Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes seal tense win to complete 3-0 sweep of England
England's top order struggled again in ideal seam-bowling conditions in Wellington
England's top order struggled again in ideal seam-bowling conditions in Wellington
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Andrew McGlashan
Well, they made hard work of it, but New Zealand win by two wickets and secure a series whitewash. Superbly well done by the ninth-wicket pair. What a few days it's been for Blair Tickner. From 44 for 5, England made much more of a game of it than looked likely and may even have fancied nicking the win when New Zealand were eight down. But the frontline quicks had been used up - a fair enough tactic from Harry Brook - and the home side held their nerve. A host of questions for England to answer about their one-day cricket, but they wait a while. We know what's next for them. For New Zealand, a notable series victory and worth noting they are missing a lot of players through injury. Will bring you the presentations shortly.
Blair Tickner is player of the match: "I was telling the boys I actually got that bat out of the shed. Don't have a kit sponsor at the moment, so I just found whatever one that felt nice and, yeah, I didn't think I'd be batting for New Zealand, but nice to get us across the line. [On the wickets] To be honest, I'd be happy just getting out there. The results obviously went my way, but it's easier when they're half-way all out by the time I get to bowl, so the guys at the top that did really well opening the bowling."
Daryl Mitchell is player of the series: "It was awesome to see Foulkesy and Ticks at the end there do the job. That's a pretty exciting game of cricket on a challenging surface, so good fun.It was a grind at times, I guess that's the nature of early summer here in New Zealand, that ball will do a bit. Nice get the three wins and walk away with a series win."
Harry Brook "I thought it was an amazing game of cricket there at the back end. For us to nearly defend that score, which probably wasn't quite enough, was a great effort from the lads. [On top order] That's obviously one thing we've spoken about. We didn't quite get big enough scores to be able to defend them and give the bowlers the best chance to win us the game. So we'll go back, we'll take the learnings that we've made from this trip here, and we'll try our best to be better in the future. It probably didn't help that I didn't win a toss as well. It favoured the toss a little bit. So, you know, they're the second best team in the world for a reason. They've outplayed us this series."
Mitchell Santner "They [the lower order] obviously work a little bit on their betting, so it was nice to see them do it in the game. Ticks looked like a lovely high front elbow, so that was a nice watch. I think this game [the toss] was massive. There was obviously a little bit there with the new ball, and I guess when you can get wickets in the power play, it's obviously massive. I think both Duff and Zac, when it's swinging and nipping around, it's obviously a challenge. Jamie Overton and Carsey got them up to a decent score in the end and made it pretty challenging for us with the bat. [On holding their nerve] I guess that's the most pleasing thing. Different guys stepping up at different times throughout every chase. [On his form] I've got a nice bat at the moment."
Right, that'll wrap things for today. An impressive series win for New Zealand, a whole heap of issues for England in this format. The Ashes looms now for them in three weeks time, while New Zealand prepare to face West Indies in a full tour. We'll gave full coverage of all that for you in the coming weeks. For now, from Gnasher and Alan, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.
Another chat between Curran and Brook. Crowd into it
New Zealand are nearly there. This pair have done it very calmly on the whole
The home side were without a host of frontline quicks but were still able to beat England 3-0
Stats highlights from New Zealand's 3-0 sweep of England in the ODI series
England's top order struggled again in ideal seam-bowling conditions in Wellington
Matt Henry has a calf strain, which kept him out of the second ODI against England