Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell have each hit unbeaten centuries and shared a partnership of 180 to steer New Zealand to a dominant eight-wicket win over England of their first assembly in a one-day worldwide for the reason that epic World Cup remaining at Lord’s in 2019.
Set 292 to win in Friday’s ODI, the New Zealanders reached the goal with 26 balls to spare at Sophia Gardens as Conway (111no) and Mitchell (118no) every struck their fourth a whole lot within the format.
It was the primary of 4 matches in an ODI sequence between groups who will open the World Cup by taking part in one another in Ahmedabad on October 5 – and New Zealand struck the primary psychological blow.
The Black Caps at the moment are on a three-match successful streak over England in limited-overs cricket after victories within the remaining two Twenty20 internationals of the sequence which completed 2-2 on Tuesday.
Ben Stokes, who has opted to return out of ODI retirement forward of England’s World Cup title defence in India, marked his return to the 50-overs format by being one in every of 4 batters to submit fifties on what appeared a troublesome monitor at first.
Stokes hit 52 after a fast knock of 54 from Dawid Malan, who was a part of an emergency opening partnership with Harry Brook (25) due to accidents to Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy.
Brook has been controversially neglected of England’s World Cup squad and is staking a declare for a late call-up.
New Zealand had been on prime after eradicating Joe Root for six to go away England 3-101 within the twenty first over however Stokes and captain Jos Buttler, who was the highest scorer with 72 off 68 balls on his thirty third birthday, steadied the innings with a partnership of 88.
Big-hitting Liam Livingstone weighed in with a energetic 52 off 40, together with three sixes, in a 77-run stand with Buttler earlier than each fell to Tim Southee in the identical over late on.
David Willey’s unbeaten 21 included a six down the bottom off the final ball, and England appeared to have set a testing goal regardless of allrounder Rachin Ravindra choosing up 3-48 off his 10 overs of spin.
But New Zealand had been at all times forward of the run-rate and batted with a terrific tempo.
Opener Will Young — picked forward of Finn Allen — hit 29 and Henry Nicholls 26 earlier than Conway and Mitchell got here along with the rating at 2-117 and took England’s assault aside.
Adil Rashid (1-70 in eight overs) got here in for heavy punishment as he was smashed over the shorter boundaries by Mitchell particularly, earlier than Conway clinched the win with a straight six off Livingstone.
The second ODI is in Southampton on Sunday (Monday AEST).
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
