Overview
- New Zealand won the second ODI in Hamilton by five wickets with 101 balls to spare, clinching the series 2-0 and securing their first home bilateral ODI win over England since 2008.
- England were bowled out for 175 in 36 overs after 223 in the opener, with repeated top-order failures despite a lineup Brook says would “get into almost every team in the world.”
- Jofra Archer marked his return with 3-23 and 51 dot balls across 10 overs, leading to suggestions from commentators that he should be rested ahead of the Ashes.
- Blair Tickner took 4-34 on recall as Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner steered New Zealand’s chase with composed contributions.
- England have lost six of their past seven ODI series and, sitting eighth with West Indies and Bangladesh close behind, risk a qualifying route for the 2027 World Cup, heightening the value of Saturday’s Wellington fixture for ranking points.