New Zealand edged past England by two wickets in a tense finish at Wellington, sealing a 3-0 series sweep in the New Zealand vs England 3rd ODI. Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes held their nerve in a low-scoring thriller to chase down 223 after England’s batting collapsed once again.
Early Struggles for England’s Top Order
England’s batting woes continued as their top order fell apart within the first 10 overs. New-ball pair Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes exploited ideal seam conditions, leaving England reeling at 44 for 5. Despite another batting failure, Jamie Overton provided a late spark, smashing 68 off 62 balls to help England reach 222. His aggressive innings included ten boundaries and two sixes, but it was not enough to post a defendable score in the New Zealand vs England 3rd ODI.
New Zealand’s Steady Start and Mid-Innings Collapse
Chasing 223, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra gave New Zealand a solid start with a 78-run partnership. However, a freak run-out of Conway triggered a collapse, with three wickets falling in quick succession. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a composed 44, but England fought back through Sam Curran and Jamie Overton, reducing New Zealand to 196 for 8. Even so, the New Zealand vs England 3rd ODI turned again when Tickner and Foulkes calmly finished the chase with an unbeaten stand.
Tickner’s All-Round Brilliance Seals Series
Blair Tickner’s four-wicket haul set the tone earlier in the game, dismantling England’s middle order. His composed batting later ensured victory, completing a dominant series for New Zealand. Foulkes also impressed throughout his maiden ODI series, consistently troubling England’s batters.
With this win, New Zealand secured a clean sweep, leaving England with serious concerns about their batting ahead of the upcoming Tests. The New Zealand vs England 3rd ODI highlighted both the Kiwis’ consistency and England’s ongoing struggles in seaming conditions.
