England lose ODI series in New Zealand as batting flops again

9 hours ago 3

England's batting flopped for the second time in four days as Harry Brook's side slumped to a one-day international series defeat in New Zealand ahead of The Ashes.

England were bundled out for 175 during a five-wicket loss in Wednesday's second ODI in Hamilton - Jamie Overton (42 off 28 balls) top-scoring from the No 8 spot - having been rolled for 223 in a four-wicket reverse in Sunday's first fixture at Mount Maunganui.

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

When the paceman removed Michael Bracewell (5) with the final ball of his spell, after also accounting for Rachin Ravindra (54), New Zealand were wobbling on 118-5 after 28 overs, only for Daryl Mitchell (56no) and captain Mitchell Santner (34no off 17) to pound an unbroken 59 from 32 to secure victory with 101 deliveries in the bank.

Jofra Archer, England, ODI cricket (PA Images)

Brook was unable to back up his sizzling 135 from 101 deliveries in the series opener, dismissed for a run-a-ball 34 as Young took an acrobatic grab at backward point.

The captain's fellow Ashes batters - Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell - all laboured again weeks out from the first Test against Australia.

Duckett (1) edged Jacob Duffy behind in the third over and while the other three reached double figures - an upgrade on the first ODI - they then fell for 13, 25 and 18 respectively as England's innings lasted just 26 overs at Seddon Park.

Bethell's dismissal was perhaps the most frustrating of the lot as the 21-year-old hauled a short ball from Nathan Smith (2-27) to deep square immediately after a drinks break and once again failed to make a case to oust Ollie Pope as England's Ashes No 3.

More to follow...