England Crumble as New Zealand Seal 3-0 Sweep

AFP/APP

Wellington: Blair Tickner and Zakary Foulkes produced crucial all-round performances to guide New Zealand to a tense two-wicket victory over England on Saturday, completing a 3-0 sweep of the one-day international (ODI) series.

The tailenders combined for an unbroken 30-run ninth-wicket stand as New Zealand chased down 223, finishing on 226-8 in the 45th over. Their partnership sealed the home side’s dominance after another English batting collapse saw the visitors dismissed for 222.

Seamers Tickner and Foulkes shared six wickets, ripping through England’s fragile top order, which crumbled to 44-5. The continued poor form of senior batsmen Ben Duckett and Joe Root has added to England’s concerns with less than three weeks remaining before the Ashes Test series in Australia.

England’s top four managed only 84 runs across the three matches — the lowest aggregate by any team in a men’s ODI series or tournament of similar length. The visitors were bowled out for 223 and 175 in the first two fixtures.

Captain Harry Brook admitted that his side struggled to adapt to the seaming conditions.

“We didn’t put up big enough scores to give our bowlers a real chance,” Brook said. “New Zealand are the second-best team in the world for a reason — they’ve outplayed us throughout this series.”

Tickner claimed 4-64, his second consecutive four-wicket haul, while Foulkes struck early with 2-27, removing Jamie Smith and Root within the first four overs. Fellow pacer Jacob Duffy (3-56) added to England’s woes, dismissing Duckett, Brook, and Jacob Bethell.

All-rounder Jamie Overton anchored England’s innings with a fighting 68 off 76 balls, his maiden ODI half-century, before being the last man out in the 41st over. Brydon Carse contributed a brisk 36, including four sixes, to help England reach a modest total.

In reply, New Zealand’s top order made steady starts, with Rachin Ravindra (46) and Daryl Mitchell (44) laying the foundation. However, regular wickets kept England in contention, setting up a tight finish.

Overton and Sam Curran picked up two wickets each, while New Zealand suffered two bizarre dismissals — Devon Conway and Tom Latham were both run out after straight drives deflected off the bowler.

In the end, Foulkes (14 not out) and Tickner (18 not out) held their nerve to see New Zealand home, extending their remarkable home dominance.

Since February 2019, New Zealand have won 25 of their last 29 ODIs on home soil, losing only twice, with two matches abandoned.