England lose ODI series in New Zealand as batting flops again ahead of Ashes but Jofra Archer’s bowling a highlight | Cricket News

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England’s batting faltered for the second time in four days as Harry Brook’s side suffered a one-day international defeat in New Zealand ahead of the Ashes.

England were bowled out for 175 in 36 overs during a five-wicket loss in Wednesday’s second ODI in Hamilton – Jimmy Overton (42 off 28 balls) the highest run-scorer from No. 8 – after being reduced to 223 in a four-wicket reversal in Sunday’s opener at Mount Maunganui.

Jofra Archer (3-23), who played his first ODI against New Zealand since delivering the match-winning Super Over in the 2019 World Cup final, pinned Will Young (0) for the first wicket and was impressive throughout as he bowled 51 dot balls and four maidens.

When he removed pacer Michael Bracewell (5) with the final ball of his spell, after accounting for Rashin Ravindra (54), New Zealand were reeling at 118-5 after 28 overs, only for Darryl Mitchell (56 nos.) and skipper Mitchell Santner (34 nos. from 17) to make it 59 off 32 to seal victory with 101 deliveries in the bank heading into Saturday’s third and final over. ODI in Wellington (1am UK)

Brook was unable to support 135 off 101 deliveries in the series opener, and was dismissed for running with the ball on 34 when Young made an acrobatic catch at backward point.

The Ashes captain’s teammates – Ben Duckett, Jimmy Smith, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell – were all in action again weeks after the first Test against Australia from 21 November.

Duckett (1) edged Jacob Duffy at number three and while the other three reached double figures – an upgrade in the first ODI – they subsequently fell to 13, 25 and 18 respectively.

Bethel’s dismissal was perhaps the most disappointing as the 21-year-old dragged a short ball from Nathan Smith (2-27) into deep square immediately after the drinks break and once again failed to make a case to oust Ollie Pope as England’s No.3.

England pay the price for another batting malfunction

Root was caught at the leg side of Blair Tickner (4-34) as the New Zealand seamer impressed on his first appearance for his country in more than two years, a period in which his wife Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia – and is now in remission.

Tickner was also in charge of Overton as well as bowlers Carse (3) and Adil Rashid (9), while off-spinner Bracewell bowled Sam Curran (17) beautifully and Jos Buttler (9) was lbw for Smith as he suffered a second successive single-figure dismissal.

In addition, Duckett’s opening partner, Jimmy Smith, deflected Zach Foulkes to Kane Williamson at backward point trying to set a leg-side boundary.

Black Caps captain Santner may have been concerned when he lobbed Brook through mid-off, an admittedly difficult chance, but the left-armer volleyed the return ball thanks to Young’s athleticism in the offside area.

Young lasted just four deliveries with the bat as Archer got the ball to speak in a scrappy opening spell of 1-8 from five overs – the fast bowler unfortunate to have only batted once.

He was further rewarded for his pace, aggression and movement when Ravindra, who had put on 63 with Mitchell for the third wicket after being bowled by Overton Williamson (21), pulled to Rashid at deep leg.

Archer then ended a fine outing personally by dismissing Bracewell off the leg side – New Zealand had lost 3-13 at that stage with Rashid also pinning Tom Latham (2) lb on the reverse sweep – only for a boundary-laden stand by Mitchell and Santner to put the Black Caps 2-0 up with one goal to play.

“Disappointing to say the least” – Brock is disappointed with the defeat

England Captain Harry Brook:

“We have to come back stronger and better and hopefully we can get at least one win against these boys who are second in the world rankings.

“It is disappointing to say the least. [Conditions] Very similar to England. She’s got a bit of a handle on the new ball and it’s a good wicket to bat on, so she’s just trying to get through the first 15 or 20 balls.

“We want to go out and entertain the world. It’s only two or three games before we reach 400 against South Africa, so it’s not far off. Hopefully we can have a good game on Saturday.”

Santner praises ‘exceptional’ New Zealand

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner:

“It was a great game from us. I thought the boys were exceptional. Maybe there wasn’t much to it [the pitch] As we thought, but limiting the team to 170 people is a very good effort.

“Credit to Tickner, he is a world-class bowler and he kept batting away.

“We knew it was going to be a tough chase, especially with the likes of Kars and Archer.

“Ken [Williamson] And Rashin [Ravindra] They did a great job of helping us get through the powerplay and get a little momentum going for us.”