New Zealand's Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes produce magical ninth-wicket partnership to seal series sweep over England
Updated 01/11/2025 at 11:48 GMT
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Blair Tickner starred with bat and ball as New Zealand beat England by two wickets to secure an ODI series sweep. Tickner took four wickets to restrict the tourists to 222, with Jamie Overton top scoring with 68. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell put New Zealand in control but a late blitz from Sam Curran and Overton set up a tense finish. However, Tickner and Zak Foulkes steered the hosts home.
Highlights: England's batting falters again as New Zealand sweep the series in dramatic fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
New Zealand complete ODI series sweep
Blair Tickner starred with bat and ball as New Zealand survived a late fightback to beat England by two wickets and secure an ODI series clean sweep.
Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy dismantled the sloppy England top order to reduce the tourists to 44-5 just after the powerplay, with another heavy defeat looking inevitable.
However, Jamie Overton (68) rallied with Jos Buttler (38) and Brydon Carse (36) to steer England to 222 after Tickner chipped in with regular wickets to prevent a more competitive score.
New Zealand looked like they were going to chase the target in routine fashion as Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra started strongly before Conway was unfortunate to be run out at the non-striker's end for 34.
Ravindra fell in the next over for 46 before Will Young, Tom Latham - who suffered the same fate as Conway - and Michael Bracewell all failed to add significant runs.
Daryl Mitchell (44) anchored the middle overs while Mitchell Santner's (27) firepower drove New Zealand towards the target as they stayed ahead of the game, before a flurry of wickets left the Black Caps needing 27 runs with just two wickets left.
But Tickner and Foulkes batted with maturity to slowly but surely guide the hosts over the line and complete an awful tour for England.
Their focus now turns to the Ashes in three weeks' time, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Brook: "They have outplayed us"
England captain Harry Brook speaking on TNT Sports: "We didn't get big enough scores to defend them and give the bowlers a chance to win the game.
"It probably didn't help that I didn't win a toss. It favoured the toss a little bit.
"They're the second best team in the world for a reason. They have outplayed us in this series and we just haven't been good enough and hopefully we'll just bounce back.
"It was tricky but we have got to find ways in the future if we want to be the best team in the world.
Tickner: "I just want to enjoy my time"
New Zealand match winner Blair Tickner speaking on TNT Sports: "I didn't think I would be batting for NZ but nice to cross the line.
"I just want to enjoy my time so it doesn't really matter how we win.
"The results went my way but it's easy when the guys at the top are all out.
"Probably just back to the domestic grind and see what happens.
"It's been enjoyable bowling, there has been a little bit in it."
New Zealand battle their way to tense victory
It was a lot nervier than it should have been, but New Zealand got there in the end.
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway looked so comfortable at the start until Conway was run out at the non-striker’s end before Ravindra fell in the next over.
Will Young and Michael Bracewell also failed to add significant scores while Tom Latham also fell victim to a run out at the non-striker’s end, but Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings to keep the Kiwis in control.
Mitchell Santner put his foot on the accelerator to get New Zealand within touching distance but three quick wickets left the hosts needing nearly 30 runs with just two wickets remaining.
But Zak Foulkes and Blair Tickner kept their heads and batted with maturity to guide their side to a series clean sweep.
Jamie Overton starred with the ball, getting two wickets, but it wasn't enough and England lose their ninth away ODI of 2025.
All over! New Zealand beat England by two wickets
Tickner cuts away over slip but it's cut off at third man so will only be two! Can he finish it off now?
Not quite! He slices it over Curran for a single and the scores are level. Over to you Zak Foulkes.
And Foulkes flicks it off his pads for four and New Zealand have completed the series clean sweep!
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'Easy as you like!' - Foulkes hits winning runs as New Zealand seal series sweep over England
Video credit: TNT Sports
New Zealand 219-8 (Foulkes 10, Tickner 15) need 4 runs from 36 balls
Rashid is tempting Tickner here, but Tickner refuses to bite. Finally he gets some width to grab another single.
Last ball to Foulkes who sweeps, and sweeps for four! They are one shot away now.
New Zealand 214-8 (Foulkes 6, Tickner 14) need 9 runs from 42 balls
New Zealand look happy to get this job done with singles. Tickner takes one off the first ball before Foulkes sees off the remainder of the over.
Nine to win.
Watch: Curran snares Mitchell to set up tense finish
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'That might be the blow' - Curran snares Mitchell to set up tense finish
Video credit: TNT Sports
New Zealand 213-8 (Foulkes 6, Tickner 13) need 10 runs from 48 balls
Another single off Rashid. Another step closer. But another wicket will throw the cat amongst the pigeons once again.
Each run is being cheered so loudly in Wellington. We are getting close to the business end.
New Zealand 210-8 (Foulkes 5, Tickner 11) need 13 runs from 54 balls
Curran continues. He will surely bowl out. Tickner pulls a short ball and top edges it just over Buttler for four more! It doesn't matter how you get them at this point does it?
Quick single now but New Zealand get it! Another productive over edges them closer.
New Zealand 204-8 (Foulkes 5, Tickner 6) need 19 runs from 60 balls
A smattering of applause as Foulkes drives for a single. How the mood has changed. More applause as Tickner replicates the shot.
Now Tickner times a cover drive sweetly into the gap and that will run down to the boundary! Only 19 left now.
New Zealand 196-8 (Foulkes 3, Tickner 0) need 27 runs from 66 balls
What a twist! Mitchell looked so assured in the middle but now it is just the tailenders left with 27 runs still to get!
Blair Tickner is in at 10. He sees out the final three balls, but it is a wicket maiden from Curran which could have turned the match on its head.
Wicket! Mitchell c Buttler b Curran 44 - New Zealand 196-8 (38.3 Overs)
Curran comes around the wicket to attack Mitchell's stumps. And he gets an outside edge and Mitchell has to go as Buttler gathers! England are very much in it now!
New Zealand 196-7 (Foulkes 3, Mitchell 44) need 27 runs from 72 balls
Rashid returns. He needs an almighty spell here.
Foulkes is no slouch with the bat - he has a strong First Class and List A record - and this is evidenced by Mitchell's trust in him as the pair rotate the strike to keep the runs ticking down.
New Zealand 192-7 (Foulkes 1, Mitchell 42) need 31 runs from 78 balls
New Zealand need 32 runs and Zak Smith, who hasn't scored an ODI run, is in next.
He looks very nervy against Overton, but survives and, despite only needing three wickets, England have used up all three frontline seamers.
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'What kind of shot was that?' - Santner hits astonishing six off Carse
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wicket! Smith b Overton 2 - New Zealand 191-7 (36.2 Overs)
Here's Overton for his final over, and it looks like Bethell is jumping in at short leg.
And Overton cleans up Smith! New Zealand are seven down now!
New Zealand 190-6 (Smith 2, Mitchell 41) need 33 runs from 84 balls
Nathan Smith joins Mitchell in the middle to see this through, and clips to the leg side for two.
Carse finishes with 1-60 from his 10 overs. Not his best match with the ball.
Wicket! Santner c Brook b Carse 27 - New Zealand 188-6 (35.4 Overs)
Carse to bowl his final over. He has been wicketless, unless you count that Latham run out.
Santner skies it, and Brook gets underneath it and takes it! One final twist in the tale?
New Zealand 187-5 (Santner 27, Mitchell 40) need 36 runs from 90 balls
Four more for Santner! He is driving New Zealand towards this target in style.
He square drives through point and England look out of answers at this stage.
New Zealand 183-5 (Santner 23, Mitchell 40) need 40 runs from 96 balls
Carse comes on with his penultimate over, and relieves any pressure with his second no ball of the match. Santner somehow directs a full ball outside off over cover for six! Wonderful shot.
Now Mitchell goes for it! He doesn't get all of it but clears the fielder to add four more, before french-cutting for another four.
New Zealand 167-5 (Santner 17, Mitchell 32) need 56 runs from 102 balls
After the big shots in the last over, Santner and Mitchell are back to rotating the strike. These singles are coming too easily.
Five runs scored off Overton's eighth over.
Watch: England take three wickets in 11 balls
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WATCH - England take three wickets in 11 balls to give themselves a chance in final ODI
Video credit: TNT Sports
New Zealand 162-5 (Santner 14, Mitchell 31) need 61 runs from 108 balls
Santner sweeps fine... and it has enough on it to trickle away from Curran for four!
The captain then clears his front leg and slogs the ball over the boundary, and onto the roof! A 103 metre six that.
He looks in excellent touch and after that slight wobble, New Zealand look on course again.
New Zealand 151-5 (Santner 3, Mitchell 31) need 72 runs from 114 balls
New Zealand are still scratching around as they reach 150. They do not look comfortable but are slowly edging towards their target.
Mitchell hasn't been dismissed at all this series and will be key to this chase.
Watch: New Zealand suffer second deflected run out as Latham has to go
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‘You are kidding me?!’ – New Zealand suffer second deflected run out as Latham has to go
Video credit: TNT Sports
New Zealand 148-5 (Santner 1, Mitchell 31) need 75 runs from 120 balls
The skipper is in to see the hosts home. He gets off the mark after almost instigating another run-out at the non-striker's end. What is in the Wellington air this evening?
Mitchell's reverse sweep at the end of the over comes to nothing.
Wicket! Bracewell c Bethell b Rashid 13 - New Zealand 147-5 (29.1 Overs)
On comes Rashid, and he strikes first ball!
Bracewell looks to target the short boundary but slog sweeps it to Bethell and the partnership is broken!
New Zealand 147-4 (Bracewell 13, Mitchell 31) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 29
Overton catches Mitchell on the hip and that will sting a lot. He shakes it off pretty quickly though.
It's another quiet over but, with the required rate at under four, you get the feeling New Zealand can put the hammer down whenever they need to.
New Zealand 145-4 (Bracewell 12, Mitchell 30) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 28
England look bereft of options. And as Curran searches for the stumps, Mitchell counters, hoicking a six over the leg side and hitting a police officer in the process, who seems to be fine.
New Zealand are closing in on the win.
New Zealand 137-4 (Bracewell 11, Mitchell 23) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 27
Archer will bowl out now. This is a big gamble by Brook.
Five dot balls to start with, but no wicket. Can he get a breakthrough with his last ball?
No he can't. It's a maiden but Mitchell will be delighted with his defensive approach.
New Zealand 137-4 (Bracewell 11, Mitchell 23) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 26
Bracewell gets going against Curran! He muscles a four down to square leg to reduce the required runs to under 90.
Seven more runs off that over and England are back under pressure.
New Zealand 130-4 (Bracewell 6, Mitchell 21) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 25
Mitchell is playing sensibly for now, rotating the strike with Bracewell as New Zealand inch towards their target.
Three runs off Archer's ninth over.
New Zealand 127-4 (Bracewell 5, Mitchell 19) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 24
Curran is back for England with New Zealand needing fewer than 100 runs to complete the whitewash.
Again, it is a tidy over, but not threatening enough to take a wicket.
New Zealand 126-4 (Bracewell 5, Mitchell 18) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 23
There's nearly a third run out at the non-striker's end! Bracewell gets back in time though.
Archer finds a length which the ball fizzes off, but sails over for five wides.
New Zealand 120-4 (Bracewell 5, Mitchell 17) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 22
In comes Michael Bracewell, who has been in good form this series. And he starts off well with a strong four down the ground.
Tense, tense, tense.
Wicket! Latham run out Carse 10 - New Zealand 113-4 (21.1 Overs)
Another run-out at the non-striker's end? Latham is in trouble here!
He's short of his crease! Mitchell's drive clipped Carse's hand and Latham has to go!
How unlucky can you get?
New Zealand 113-3 (Latham 10, Mitchell 15) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 21
Latham and Mitchell are looking comfortable out there for now. They know they just need to see off these overs from Archer and Carse and the runs will come.
Archer concedes just one more, but has now bowled seven overs without a wicket.
New Zealand 112-3 (Latham 10, Mitchell 14) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 20
Yep, it's full attack as Carse continues for his seventh. England know, one way or another, this innings won't take all 50 overs.
Three more for New Zealand and this partnership is starting to build, slowly but surely. Scratch that, Carse has overstepped.
Mitchell faces the free-hit but can't get it away
New Zealand 107-3 (Latham 8, Mitchell 12) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 19
England are pressing for that wicket as they hand a sixth over to Archer. Mitchell sends a half-chance towards Smith at backwards square, but gets it just wide for four.
That's all New Zealand can get from the over, but, at this point, it is more than enough.
New Zealand 103-3 (Latham 8, Mitchell 8) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 18
Conway and Ravindra looked so comfortable, but no-one has since. Carse continues to look dangerous to the left hander as he tests the outside edge.
Three from the over.
New Zealand 100-3 (Latham 6, Mitchell 7) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 17
New Zealand needed that. Latham leans on his front foot and drives for four to bring up the team hundred.
A little bit of interest as Buttler takes one down leg but it sounded like pad, not bat.
New Zealand 94-3 (Latham 1, Mitchell 6) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 16
Carse is back on, replacing Curran. Latham is the third leftie in the top five and Carse beats his outside edge, before getting one to nip into his body.
Another tidy over and this match feels very much in the balance again.
New Zealand 92-3 (Latham 0, Mitchell 5) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 15
Tom Latham is in now at five. He can use his vast experience to guide New Zealand towards the target.
Excellent over from Overton and he has got the breakthrough both with his bowling and fielding
Wicket! Young c Buttler b Overton 1 - New Zealand 92-3 (14.4 Overs)
Young gets off the mark with a flick to the leg side for a single.
He then hooks straight up into the air two balls later and Buttler gets under it and grabs it! New Zealand are crumbling now!
New Zealand 90-2 (Young 0, Mitchell 4) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 14
Mitchell is in now, and his first ball sails over not just his head but Buttler's glove for five wides.
He then drives over the top to get off the mark with a four.
Wicket! Ravindra b Curran 46 - New Zealand 81-2 (13.3 Overs)
Ravindra takes a quick two to move onto 46. Will he be deterred by Conway's dismissal?
Yes he will apparently! He tries to drive down the ground but Curran gets one through and both openers have been dismissed within five balls!
New Zealand 79-1 (Young 0, Ravindra 44) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 13
Very, very unlucky for Conway and Will Young is in next, having dropped down to three.
Ravindra takes a single off the final ball.
Wicket! Conway run out Overton 34 - New Zealand 78-1 (12.5 Overs)
Conway hooks Overton, but doesn't quite get everything on it. He finds the gap though and gets four anyway.
Ravindra then drives, but Overton deflects it onto the non-strikers' stumps and Conway is well short! Lucky breakthrough but England have a glimmer of hope.
New Zealand 72-0 (Conway 29, Ravindra 42) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 12
The Archer experiment is over and Sam Curran takes his place. Ravindra flicks for two to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Conway also keeps to this gameplan as the hosts milk five more.
New Zealand 67-0 (Conway 27, Ravindra 39) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 11
At this stage, New Zealand are 20 runs and five wickets better off than England. They are in complete control.
They take three off Overton's over - all singles.
New Zealand 64-0 (Conway 26, Ravindra 37) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 10
Archer is back on from the other end. Has he or Brook seen something here that they want to exploit?
It doesn't work first ball as Ravindra drives for four with exquisite technique and follows it up with a pull for four more.
Conway has cantered through for a single but a direct hit could make this interesting as he didn't ground his bat! He just gets his foot down in time but that is a reprieve.
In all that confusion it is another five! Conway then cuts into the stands for six, and it's a catch in the crowd!
That's 24 off the Archer over after Conway cuts another four.
New Zealand 40-0 (Conway 16, Ravindra 24) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 9
Jamie Overton replaces Archer. He saved his side with the bat, but they are behind the match right now.
He builds up pressure with dots before just missing Conway's outside edge after he wafts at one outside off.
Maiden to start off with
New Zealand 40-0 (Conway 16, Ravindra 24) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 8
Carse comes around the wicket now. Ravindra pounces on a ball that's ever so slightly too short and pummels it over square leg for four, before jabbing into the on side for four more.
Ravindra is racing away with controlled aggression while Conway is fending off Archer and anchoring the partnership. It has been the perfect powerplay for the hosts so far.
New Zealand 31-0 (Conway 15, Ravindra 16) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 7
Archer is getting very aggressive with his bowling here, and bangs one in short to Conway as he tries to charge. This is a fascinating contest.
Just one off the over, but England need wickets and fast.
New Zealand 30-0 (Conway 14, Ravindra 16) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 6
Ravindra top-edges a hook, which sails over the keeper for four. Bit fortunate, but runs nonetheless.
There's nothing fortunate about this next boundary though, as he cover drives for four more. England are struggling to make a breakthrough here.
New Zealand 22-0 (Conway 14, Ravindra 8) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 5
Ravindra takes a risky single, but is decisive and fast, so he makes his ground easily. Archer is looking to square up both lefties, but they are doing well so far.
New Zealand 21-0 (Conway 14, Ravindra 7) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 4
Ravindra is looking to get on the front foot, and executes to perfection with a straight drive for four. A touch too full from Carse there.
Sensible batting from both openers so far and they are motoring along nicely without taking too many risks.
New Zealand 15-0 (Conway 13, Ravindra 2) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 3
Shot! Conway punches into the off side, and it sails all the way for six!
Oh dear! Adil Rashid has been nutmegged backing up a throw and it's five runs for Conway! Awful error, especially with so few runs on the board.
Archer does not look happy at all.
New Zealand 2-0 (Conway 1, Ravindra 1) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 2
Brydon Carse will open from the other end, looking to back up his strong batting performance.
Ravindra is equally watchful - a big contrast to England's top order - and gets off the mark with a mistimed drive.
Conway tries to flick, but the ball loops up off his thigh pad and fortunately for him, it lands just inches from his leg stump!
New Zealand 0-0 (Conway 0, Ravindra 0) Target: 223, Overs bowled: 1
New Zealand have time in this chase here and this is evident as Conway starts defensively against Archer.
Maiden over for Archer to start with.
Second innings underway!
Out come the players! Rachin Ravindra will open alongside Devon Conway, in for the injured Kane Williamson.
It should be a routine chase on paper, but nothing is routine when England are concerned. Jofra Archer to get things going.
His first ball is defended.
New Zealand need 223 runs to win
Well, what to make of that score? England were all at sea in the powerplay, as they have been for most of this series, as they slumped to 44-5 with no-one in the top five scoring more than 11.
But Jos Buttler and Sam Curran rallied in the middle overs and it looked like the tourists could drag themselves to a competitive total, but Blair Tickner removed both to leave them 102-7 on his way to a four-wicket haul.
There was another twist in the tail as Jamie Overton supported Brydon Carse's blitz, before he took control alongside the tail to get his first ODI fifty and drag his side to 222.
It is a sub-par total, but there is swing and seam movement on offer. The question is, can England's bowlers back up what they have done with the bat to get their first away ODI win in 2025 and avoid a clean sweep?
Wicket! Overton c Young b Santner 8 - England 222 all out (40.2 Overs)
Santner returns. All of a sudden, New Zealand are scrambling around to find spinners to fill the overs.
This could be the end though as Overton skies the second ball to extra cover. Young takes the catch and it is all over.
Superb innings from Jamie Overton and New Zealand need 223 runs to win and take a clean sweep.
England 222-9 (Rashid 1, Overton 68) Overs bowled: 40
Tickner continues for one last chance at the five-for. Overton skies one, but luckily it lands in a gap on the off side.
He then times one down the ground for four more. This is getting out of hand for New Zealand, who will need to work hard in the chase no matter what.
Six more! This is deposited several rows back into the mid-wicket stands.
England 209-9 (Rashid 1, Overton 55) Overs bowled: 39
Here is Duffy's final over. Overton has already dragged England back into this game. Could he get them to a total close to par now?
Rashid gets himself off strike with his second ball. Overton then finds a gap in the off side with pinpoint precision. He is far too good to be coming in at eight.
Six off the over.
England 203-9 (Rashid 0, Overton 51) Overs bowled: 38
Overton is on 43, Tickner has four wickets. Can either player get to their respective milestone this over? Both deserve it to be fair.
Overton capitalises on a straight ball and flicks four more to move onto 47. He then pulls into the gap to bring up a fantastic fifty when others have fallen around him.
He can't find a single off the last ball though and so Duffy will get a look at Rashid next over.
England 195-9 (Rashid 0, Overton 43) Overs bowled: 37
One more to go. Will Overton look to cash in as much as possible with Adil Rashid at the other end?
Yes he will, and to great effect! He sits back and pulls over mid-on for four, before flicking fine enough to find the boundary again.
Now can he get a single to retain the strike? Yes, very nice batting indeed.
Wicket! Archer c Bracewell b Tickner 16 - England 186-9 (36 Overs)
Overton is caught on the thigh and his pain is picked up on the mic as he takes a breather.
England are going at over five an over as they build another lower order partnership and Archer agriculturally swats Tickner for four.
But next ball, he mistimes it and it is easily taken by Bracewell at mid-on!
England 179-8 (Archer 10, Overton 33) Overs bowled: 35
Duffy is back into the attack. Devon Conway's new beard is the talking point as Archer adds two more to the score.
Big appeal for lbw now but the umpire holds firm. An inside edge has probably saved Archer there before another misfield gifts him four more.
England 173-8 (Archer 4, Overton 33) Overs bowled: 34
Lovely cut from Overton, which just gets past point and runs down for four. There is no reason why England can't get over 200 which is at least something to bowl at.
Archer gets a leading edge that flashes towards cover but it is put down!
England 164-8 (Archer 2, Overton 26) Overs bowled: 33
Santner continues for his sixth, and I'm not sure why. Surely the Black Caps should go for the kill with their quicks?
Having said that, he concedes just three runs as Overton calms things down now that Carse is back in the dugout.
England 161-8 (Archer 1, Overton 24) Overs bowled: 32
Jofra Archer is in at 10. Again, he is by no means a slouch with the bat so England will be hoping he and Overton can bat out as many overs as possible.
Great over from Tickner, as he returned to take his third wicket of the afternoon.
Wicket! Carse c Mitchell b Tickner 36 - England 160-8 (31.3 Overs)
And Tickner is back on, with five overs left in his allocation.
Carse goes after him and skies it to cover. Mitchell keeps his eye on it as he backpedals and takes the catch to stop Carse's fun!
England 159-7 (Carse 36, Overton 23) Overs bowled: 31
England pick up where they left off after the drinks break as Overton cuts Santner for four. If the tourists can preserve wickets, they should be looking at 250+ which is more than defendable.
Tickner went off the field after his spell but is back on now so could be one to watch.
Seven from the over.
England 152-7 (Carse 35, Overton 17) Overs bowled: 30
Pace is definitely looking the way forward as Smith beats Carse again. However, the Durham all-rounder is more than a match for the shorter ball as he pulls over the short boundary.
He then slogs for six more - his fourth of the innings - as he races to his highest career ODI score.
England 138-7 (Carse 23, Overton 16) Overs bowled: 29
Santner continues, floating an oh-so-slow delivery but Carse doesn't take the bait. He does the next ball though and just clears long-on to get his first six of the day.
Carse wants to attack and slog-sweeps another tempting Santner delivery for six more.
Controlled aggression from Carse, who takes 12 off the over.
England 126-7 (Carse 11, Overton 16) Overs bowled: 28
Nathan Smith is back into the attack. I'm not sure if Tickner has an issue or something because he has been outstanding so far.
Overton edges to the one slip but plays with soft hands so it bounces safe. He then drives over cover for four more.
England 121-7 (Carse 11, Overton 12) Overs bowled: 27
Santner has been tidy so far, but his spin hasn't threatened wickets yet. Will he turn back to seam to mop up the lower order?
Duffy won't be in his captain's good books right now though, as he lets Carse's drive squirm under his hands for four.
England 113-7 (Carse 4, Overton 11) Overs bowled: 26
This Tickner fella is a pretty handy bowler. He's back in the New Zealand setup at the age of 32 and the renaissance is going well so far.
He gallops in like a horse for another over, bouncing like he's ready for dressage at the top of his mark.
Anyway, enough of my poetry. Overton slams a pull for six, punching a hole in the stands in the process.
England 106-7 (Carse 3, Overton 5) Overs bowled: 25
Surely Overton and Carse would want to grind out some runs here? They have the time and every run earned is a run to play with when they have a bowl.
Three off the Santner over as we reach what is technically the halfway point in England's innings but it doesn't look like they will bat the full 50.
England 103-7 (Carse 1, Overton 4) Overs bowled: 24
Carse is the new man in and, like all of his teammates, charges Tickner but connects with thin air. Once again it sails over the stumps.
England are not playing like a team who have any interest in playing for a result here. This could all end very quickly.
Wicket! Buttler b Tickner 38 - England 102-7 (23.1 Overs)
Lethal! Tickner steams in with a lovely length ball and a combination of seam movement and a tickle from Buttler uproots his off stump!
Buttler rallied well but has to go, and probably takes England's hopes of victory off with him.
England 102-6 (Buttler 38, Overton 4) Overs bowled: 23
Time for some spin and it is the skipper Santner. He has a lot of pace variation in his locker as he looks to force a mistake out of Buttler.
Just one off the over as England look to measure him up on this surface.
England 101-6 (Buttler 37, Overton 4) Overs bowled: 22
Just when you thought England had a platform to accelerate, Tickner comes up with the sucker punch.
The good news? Buttler is still there and England still have batters in the lower order, shown as Jamie Overton gets a one-bounce four on the leg side to bring up the hundred.
Wicket! Curran b Tickner 17 - England 97-6 (21.3 Overs)
Breakthrough! Curran looks to cut, but can only get an inside edge onto the stumps!
The fruitful partnership is broken and it is Tickner amongst the wickets again.
England 96-5 (Buttler 36, Curran 17) Overs bowled: 21
Curran now pulls Smith through midwicket for four to bring up the fifty partnership. That sounded absolutely gorgeous off the bat.
This partnership was so badly needed and England are now in a position where they can hope to put a competitive total on the board.
England 92-5 (Buttler 36, Curran 13) Overs bowled: 20
Buttler goes on the charge again, and pulls for four more! He then comes forward to drive for another boundary. Buttler is looking in very good touch today.
Latham takes a fantastic grab after a wayward delivery to prevent four byes and New Zealand are suddenly under a bit of pressure.
Eleven more added to the score.
England 81-5 (Buttler 27, Curran 12) Overs bowled: 19
Now that is a fantastic shot! Smith thinks he has cramped Buttler for room after he charges down but he is able to squeeze a drive past mid-off for four.
Next he goes for the scoop and it is four more! Buttler has his eye in, and is ready to apply pressure back on the hosts.
Suddenly, things don't look quite as rosy for New Zealand as England take 11 off the over.
England 70-5 (Buttler 17, Curran 11) Overs bowled: 18
On comes Blair Tickner, the shining star of New Zealand's last win with his four wicket haul. He gets Buttler to play a false shot but once again it just misses off stump!
A single down to third on the final ball ruins a maiden for Tickner.
England 69-5 (Buttler 16, Curran 11) Overs bowled: 17
Another over for Smith, who tests Buttler, but he isn't giving his wicket away for free today.
After a single, Curran responds in the same way as his teammate and it is another tidy over.
England 68-5 (Buttler 15, Curran 11) Overs bowled: 16
Foulkes goes for an eighth over and gets slapped away for four by Curran, before responding with two that seam away from the edge.
The dots build up, helped by a good diving stop by Nathan Smith to prevent four.
England 64-5 (Buttler 15, Curran 7) Overs bowled: 15
On comes Nathan Smith for the hosts. There is still some swing on offer as he comes charging in, but it is far more comfortable than before.
It is a solid opening over before he errs a little too full and Buttler punishes with a classy drive for four.
England 59-5 (Buttler 11, Curran 6) Overs bowled: 14
Another edge, this time an inside edge from Buttler but it falls short of backwards square leg. Curran then plays a false shot for a single.
Another solid over from Foulkes. Surely that is that for the opening bowlers who have been fantastic. That will be drinks.
England 57-5 (Buttler 10, Curran 5) Overs bowled: 13
Still the two opening bowlers. Why change a winning formula?
The ball is doing a lot less and England are starting to consolidate. Buttler scampers through for a quick single to close out the over.
England 55-5 (Buttler 9, Curran 4) Overs bowled: 12
Foulkes continues for his sixth over. He tests Buttler with a bouncer, but it is too high and given as a wide.
Buttler has been the only batter who has looked to dig in today and survive the new ball. So far it is working.
England 53-5 (Buttler 9, Curran 4) Overs bowled: 11
Sam Curran is in far, far earlier than he would have liked. We are into the all-rounders now, though England do have a long tail so you never know.
Duffy sprays one down leg and that will be five wides. England needed that. Curran then edges past second slip for four more to bring up the fifty.
Wicket! Bethell c Mitchell b Duffy 11 - England 44-5 (10.1 Overs)
Bethell edges towards slip again and Mitchell reaches up to hold on to the catch! Brilliant athleticism!
England are in all sorts of trouble in Wellington today.
England 44-4 (Buttler 9, Bethell 11) Overs bowled: 10
Foulkes continues to torment Buttler, before striking him on the pad fourth ball. Big appeal but not given. Buttler was quite far down the pitch.
This time Buttler executes the flick right and gets four more. He's playing sensibly so far, making the most of a couple lucky moments.
England 40-4 (Buttler 5, Bethell 11) Overs bowled: 9
Play and miss again for Buttler, whose feet barely move. He finally gets off the mark with a controlled square drive for four.
Bethell wants a single and comes charging down. Buttler turns him around and fortunately for Bethell, the throw is wayward and he gets back in time. Ravindra should have done better there.
The left-hander gets fortunate again as he edges for four.
England 31-4 (Buttler 0, Bethell 7) Overs bowled: 8
There is certainly something out there for the bowlers, but England have made it far too easy today.
More defensive from Bethell this over as the dots build up. That's the first maiden today.
England 31-4 (Buttler 0, Bethell 7) Overs bowled: 7
Jos Buttler is the next bat in, and gets a corker first ball which misses the outside edge. Not the first time that has happened today.
Lovely bowling again from Duffy.
Wicket! Brook c Bracewell b Duffy 6 - England 31-4 (6.3 Overs)
Oh dear! Bethell clears the circle and Ravindra gives chase. He gathers the ball but as he tries to throw, he drops it over the boundary! Good luck living that one down
Two balls later, Brook edges towards the slip cordon and Michael Bracewell holds on! That's the big wicket!
England 26-3 (Brook 6, Bethell 2) Overs bowled: 6
Play and miss from Bethell first ball, but at least that was a good delivery.
A flashing drive from Brook brings four more for England. Can he anchor this innings to get the tourists to a competitive total?
England 19-3 (Brook 2, Bethell 1) Overs bowled: 5
England's all-out-attack tactic is questionable to say the very least. Brook and Bethell show no signs of changing tact though.
No foot movement from Brook and it is another swing and a miss.
Wicket! Duckett c Ravindra b Duffy 8 - England 17-3 (4.2 Overs)
My professional opinion from the other side of the world is that patience would be better while the ball is still swinging.
As I say that, Duckett mistimes a pull and Rachin Ravindra is circling at mid-on!
It's a tough chance but he holds on to it and once again, England's top three are back in the dugout having barely troubled the scorers.
England 17-2 (Brook 2, Duckett 8) Overs bowled: 4
Here's the skipper, who has been the one player in decent touch this tour. He charges the first ball and nearly chops on! Bazball at its finest.
He gets underway with two down to point with a much more sensible shot.
Wicket! Root lbw b Foulkes 2 - England 15-2 (3.1 Overs)
Foulkes continues, and traps Root in front first ball! The finger goes up and after a quick chat with Duckett, Root walks!
That was completely plumb and once again, England are losing early wickets
England 15-1 (Root 2, Duckett 8) Overs bowled: 3
Duffy starts with that teasing line across Duckett, who holds firm so far.
After four balls, he finally has enough and flicks a fuller ball over square leg for six over the short boundary.
Better from England.
England 9-1 (Root 2, Duckett 2) Overs bowled: 2
Smith got lucky on the ball before, but played another agricultural shot and was punished.
Joe Root is in at three and gets beaten first ball, but the clip on his pad is just outside the line.
Tough batting conditions out there so far.
Wicket! Smith c Latham b Foulkes 5 - England 7-1 (1.4 overs)
There was absolutely no hesitation from Mitchell Santner. The ball passes very close to the bat.
There is a clear spike on UltraEdge and Jamie Smith will have to go!
New Zealand review
Zachary Foulkes opens from the other end and immediately strays short. Smith punishes with a hoick over midwicket for the first boundary of the day.
Foulkes nearly gets his revenge two balls later with one that seams in through the gate but passes just over the stumps. Lucky.
Big appeal for a waft outside off is given not out but New Zealand review immediately!
England 3-0 (Smith 1, Duckett 2) Overs bowled: 1
More swing and Smith flashes a drive which takes a leading edge safely to deep third to get himself and England off the mark.
Duffy shows he can swing it both ways and beats left-handed Duckett all ends up with an away-swinger.
Excellent over from Duffy.
Here we go!
Smith to take the first ball, Jacob Duffy to deliver.
A vicious amount of away swing beats the outside edge.
Moment of silence for Ben Austin
There is a moment of silence for Australian teenager Ben Austin, who passed away after an accident while warming up for a cricket match aged just 17 years old.
Here come the players!
Smith and Duckett to open for England once more, and both will be desperate for a score of note. It is a bright day in Wellington with no threat of rain so we should have a full match today.
A quick look at the ground shows long straight boundaries while the square ones are very short. We expect the wicket to start slow with seam movement but play better as time goes on.
How to watch New Zealand v England
All three T20 matches and all three ODIs between New Zealand and England will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
How to watch the Ashes
England's bid to win back the Ashes for the first time in a decade will be shown live and exclusively on TNT Sports this winter. Every ball will be shown across TNT Sports and discovery+.
Can England put dire white-ball form behind them?
England's ODI stats in 2025 make for pretty rough reading. They have not won at all away from home, and have been bowled out in seven of those eight occasions.
Since the 2023 World Cup, they have lost six out of seven series, and have lost 17 of their 25 matches. Can they prevent a winless 2025 on the road today?
Whatever the result, I doubt many will remember it if they go on to win the Ashes over the next few months.
England's last chance to shine before the Ashes
The series may be done and dusted with one game to spare but this match carries some significance given that several England players will be featuring in the first Ashes test in three weeks' time.
This is their last competitive match before then and players like Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett and Joe Root will be itching to get some runs under their belt before that Test.
Yes, it is a different format but one big knock can provide the confidence for a player to hit the ground running as England look to regain the Ashes for the first time in ten years.
You can watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Toss news: England sent in to bat
Up goes the coin, and Harry Brook calls wrong and New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chooses to bowl.
Santner believes the wicket is a good one, with a bit of grass too, while Brook laments another lost toss.
Kane Williamson is out with a groin injury so Devon Conway takes his place while England name an unchanged side.
Hello and welcome...
Thanks for joining our coverage of the third one-day international between New Zealand and England in Wellington.
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