An astonishing England batting performance secured a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand to level the Royal London One-Day International series, after completing their highest ever ODI chase. 

New Zealand finished their innings with 349-7, setting England the target of 350 to win. 

In reply, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root registered impressive centuries for the home side as they hit the run target inside 44 overs, leveling the series at 2-2 with one match to play.

Both teams named unchanged sides at the toss, with Brendon McCullum electing to bat first on an excellent one-day wicket.

It took New Zealand time to get settled though, as David Willey restricted Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum to just singles during the early stages.

The bowling of Stephen Finn also gave the visitors cause for concern, Guptill offering a sharp return catch which narrowly escaped his grasp. At this point New Zealand were starting to gather a bit of momentum, finishing the ten-over powerplay on 64-0.

However, it wasn't long until England did make a breakthrough. Mark Wood bowled with a little extra zip to McCullum, who nicked it behind and Jos Buttler snaffled the catch with ease. 

It was Finn who proved crucial in removing Guptill, though this time in the field. Ben Stokes drew him into a false shot, but it took a breathtaking catch in the deep to complete it.

Kane Williamson’s 90 looked to be the catalyst in New Zealand achieving another dominant total, a batsman in fine touch looking to again impose himself on England’s bowlers. His partnership with Ross Taylor was worth 101, before Finn returned to trap Taylor LBW.

Williamson was next to fall, caught by Adil Rashid off the bowling of Willey, just ten short of his century. They came the late onslaught from Grant Elliott and Mitchell Santner. World Cup hero Elliott guided his side to another huge total, ending on 55*, whilst the 19-ball 44 from Santner was the momentum that the Black Caps needed to post 349-7.

Alex Hales and Jason Roy came out intent to get their side off to a flier and even a little rain couldn’t stop them. Hales reached 51 runs from 32 balls to put the momentum with England and put New Zealand on the back foot. His innings was ended when he was bowled by Matt Henry for 67, England’s opening partnership worth 100.

Roy too supported the early work of Hales, reaching 38 before being caught by Williamson from the bowling of Henry. 

However, it was the next two men at the crease who really got England going. Joe Root (106*) and Morgan (113) shared in a record-breaking 198-run stand as they motored the hosts to a series-leveling victory.

Morgan couldn’t guid his side over the line though, caught at fine leg off Southee for an outstanding 82-ball 113, which included five sixes.

Despite this, Root's century soon followed and he got it in style, hooking a delivery high towards mid-wicket.

Ben Stokes came in for late cameo, hitting three consecutive boundaries to put England in touching distance of a remarkable victory before Root completed the victory with a four, giving England the win with six overs remaining.

The result levels the Royal London One-Day International series at 2-2, going into the last game at Chester-le-Street in just three days time. 

 

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