NZ v ENG 2018, 5th ODI, Christchurch: England clinch the ODI series against New Zealand

With the series tied 2-2, thanks to some brilliant batting from Ross Taylor, the action moved to Hagley Oval, Christchurch for an enthralling series-decider between two top-class ODI sides.

However, it turned out to be an anti-climax, as a one-sided contest saw England clinch the five-match ODI series by 3-2. The visitors started out on the right foot, by winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

They restricted the hosts to a moderate target of 223, as the Kiwis were one ball short of playing out their entire quota of overs.

The usual suspects for England with the ball struck gold again, as Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid claimed three wickets each.

Woakes went for just an economy 3.2 for his ten overs while Rashid went for only one run higher than Woakes. Tom Curran continued his wicket-taking form, as he bagged a couple of wickets. Curran was on the expensive side, as he was taken to the cleaners by Santner at the back end.

The absence of New Zealand’s star from the Dunedin ODI, Ross Taylor, clearly hurt their chances of posting a competitive total. Colin Munro continued his horrible run this series as he was dismissed for a knot.

Shortly after, skipper Kane Williamson and Tom Latham joined Munro without adding much.

The Black Caps lost six of their top-order batsmen without even reaching the 100-run mark. Martin Guptill was the only one who provided some resistance for his 47 runs.

It appeared as if the hosts would struggle to reach even the 180-run mark. The innings then saw a turnaround with the partnership between Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner which was instrumental in taking their team past 220.

Nicholls scored a watchful 55 while Santner was responsible for the fireworks at the backend. Black Caps’ premier all-rounder scored 71-ball 67, which consisted of four boundaries and a six, giving something for the bowlers to bowl at.

England, in reply, completed the chase quite comprehensively, in just 32.4 overs, going at a run rate of over seven throughout. Opener Jonny Bairstow smashed a 58-ball century. Alex Hales ably supported him at the other end.

Bairstow ended up with 104 off 60 balls, before his knock was curtailed by a freak hit wicket dismissal. But not before he entertained the crowd with nine boundaries and six hits over the ropes. Bairstow scored his second consecutive century in the series, striking at a rate of 174.

Hales at the other played second fiddle to Bairstow for the 155 runs opening stand. Hales scored a 74 ball 61, containing nine boundaries.

The finishing touch was provided by Root and Stokes, as they saw it through for the team with their respective cameos.

Chris Woakes was adjudged as the man of the series for his ten wickets while Jonny Bairstow pocketed the man of the match award for his third fastest century for England.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to England’s series win

Killing notions that he's just a 'new ball bowler' ?
Has the complete backing of his captain ?
Leading the ??????? white-ball attack ?

For picking up 10 wickets in the tournament, @<!---->c<!---->h<!---->r<!---->i<!---->s<!---->w<!---->o<!---->a<!---->k<!---->e<!---->s was adjudged Man of The Series! #<!---->P<!---->l<!---->a<!---->y<!---->B<!---->o<!---->l<!---->d #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

PC: Rooter p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->F<!---->j<!---->n<!---->j<!---->7<!---->j<!---->J<!---->d<!---->4<!---->3

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

NZ first ten overs in this series: 28/3, 34/2, 47/1, 44/2, 27/2. Woakes and Wood have been magnificent with the new Ball. Tells you how good NZ’s middle order has been as well. #<!---->n<!---->z<!---->v<!---->e<!---->n<!---->g

— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Consistency as an artform, expressed best by @<!---->M<!---->i<!---->t<!---->c<!---->h<!---->e<!---->l<!---->l<!---->S<!---->a<!---->n<!---->t<!---->n<!---->e<!---->r with his splendid batting performances throughout the series. Leading the Kiwi fightback from the front with a brilliant knock of 67(71). #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->W<!---->h<!---->i<!---->s<!---->t<!---->l<!---->e<!---->P<!---->o<!---->d<!---->u ??

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Chris Woakes' opening spells in this series
5-0-14-2
5-1-18-2
5-1-13-1
5-2-14-1
6-1-13-1

Tidy#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

8 fours. 6 sixes. And counting.

Jonny Bairstow's fourth ODI hundred is a special one. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->g<!---->F<!---->n<!---->M<!---->N<!---->M<!---->6<!---->R<!---->H<!---->5

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

A perfect day for the series finale ? #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->c<!---->0<!---->G<!---->b<!---->3<!---->4<!---->D<!---->R<!---->2<!---->f

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Jonny Bairstow – Man of the Match for his 60-ball 104

Chris Woakes – Man of the Series for his 10 wickets#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

They are discussing IPL in #<!---->N<!---->z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g match ???

— Mon (@4sacinom) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/AdvancedMaushi/status/972323740955619328

Fastest ODI 100s for ?? (balls):
46 J Buttler v Pak,2015
53 Moeen Ali v WI, 2017
58 J BAIRSTOW v NZ, 2018 *
61 J Buttler v SL, 2014#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Hagley Park looks a beautiful ground ?? NZ is stunning ?? #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Is there a ‘mute Nasser Hussein’ button on my tv remote? #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G ??‍♀️

— Ruth Thielke (@sillymidoff) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Upcoming ODI series of #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D will be an epic one.
The best against the best.

Englad have won all their last odi series' against sl,aus,sa,NZ

India have all won their last odi series' against sl,aus,sa,NZ and England

Along with 5 tests matches would be a great tour.#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Akki (@CrickPotato) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Incredible catch from @<!---->j<!---->b<!---->a<!---->i<!---->r<!---->s<!---->t<!---->o<!---->w<!---->2<!---->1. NZ 218-9 with 1 over left. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->C<!---->t<!---->y<!---->i<!---->i<!---->g<!---->5<!---->u<!---->Q<!---->I

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The reason we are very likely to lose this ODI series is that five of our top seven batsmen failed: Guptill scored ~23 runs per innings, Munro ~11, Latham ~36, de Grandhomme ~14 & Nicholls ~14. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G 1/

— Michael Appleton (@michelappleton) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Staggering ? for Jonny Bairstow from 58 balls: the second fifty brought up in 20!

His fourth in ODIs, each faster than the previous one. Freak. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g #<!---->A<!---->n<!---->d<!---->T<!---->h<!---->a<!---->t<!---->s<!---->C<!---->r<!---->u<!---->f<!---->t<!---->s

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Colin Munro must have broken a record for least amount of runs scored in a 5 match ODI series. Surely. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Jonathan Norman (@FulhamJon) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Scoring all ODI 100s at a SR > 100:
25 AB de Villiers
10 Ijaz Ahmed
06 Shahid Afridi
05 Jos Buttler
04 JP Duminy/ J BAIRSTOW#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Love that Guptill looks at Stokes, Stokes nods and Guptill works. Cricket at its best. No need for technology there. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— bedders (@bedders30) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Anti-climactic end to a great series #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Ella Why❓Happy in my corner of the world (@ellayWhy) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Nice to see good sportsmanship in cricket @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S @<!---->e<!---->n<!---->g<!---->l<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d<!---->c<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G some should be taking notes!

— Mel Hori (@melhori09) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

RCB player win 2 man of series.
1. @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->V<!---->k<!---->o<!---->h<!---->l<!---->i against South Africa.
Now
2. @<!---->c<!---->h<!---->r<!---->i<!---->s<!---->w<!---->o<!---->a<!---->k<!---->e<!---->s against @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S .
Good day's for RCB player's.
Hope do same in @<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L
And win this year title.#<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->n<!---->z<!---->v<!---->e<!---->n<!---->g #<!---->R<!---->C<!---->B #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

— Ramratan Godara (@Ramratangodara0) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Embarrassing loss by the Blackcaps even by their standards. Why is it we can't seem to front up in big games. 3rd T20i v PAK, tri series T20i final v AUS, and today. NZ have a bad habit of going missing in big games. '15 World Cup Final is classic example #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->b<!---->b<!---->c<!---->c<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t

— Christian Hansen (@Hansen33) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/BlackCapsNo1Fan/status/972331545884176384

https://twitter.com/cricketwes/status/972331230116171776

Eng is a very strong ODI side. Interesting is to see whether they will continue their form till the next WC #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— Tushar Rane (@tushnemma) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8