NZ vs ENG 2018: Ben Stokes Return to form in Style as England win second ODI by six Wickets

England made leveled the series in the second ODI at Mount Maunganui as they defeated hosts New Zealand by six wickets. New Zealand were without the services of Kane Williamson as he was ruled out due to a hamstring niggle. Tim Southee led the team in his absence.

England won the toss and chose to field first and made the most of the conditions as they removed danger man Colin Munro on just one and then dismissed Mark Chapman on one too. The Kiwis were restricted to 9/2.

Centurion in the first ODI Ross Taylor then came in and tried to stabilize the innings with Martin Guptill. However, Taylor could not repeat the heroics of the first ODI as he was dismissed for just ten runs.

Opener Guptill then made an impressive half-century but couldn’t add much to his score as he was dismissed immediately after.

Tom Latham and Colin De Grandhomme played handy innings in the middle order scoring 22 and 38 respectively. However, the star of the innings was all-rounder Mitchell Santner who scored 63 off just 52 deliveries to help his team post a respectable total of 223. The Kiwi’s were dismissed in 49.4 overs.

For England Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali picked up two wickets each.

In reply, England lost an early wicket in the form of Jason Roy who scored just eight runs. Joe Root also lost his wicket cheaply on just nine runs. Jonny Bairstow made a healthy contribution at the top of the order with 37 runs.

Captain Eoin Morgan and all-rounder Ben Stokes were then involved in an 88 runs fourth wicket partnership. Morgan then lost his wicket as he played a shot back to the bowler and was dismissed for 62. Ben Stoke then remained unbeaten on 63, and Jos Butler finished off the match with a six scoring 36.

Trent Boult picked up two wickets while Lockie Ferguson and Colin Munro picked up a wicket each. Ben Stokes was adjudged the man of the match for his all-round skills in the match.

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