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New Zealand capped off their dominant home ODI series with a thrilling two-wicket win over England at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, sealing a 3-0 clean sweep. The low-scoring affair saw both sides struggle for consistency, but it was Blair Tickner’s all-round brilliance that stood tall amid the tension.
England, once again plagued by a top-order collapse, were bowled out for 222, a total rescued only by Jamie Overton’s fighting 68. In response, New Zealand looked comfortable early before losing quick wickets in the middle overs. However, the hosts showcased their trademark depth and composure, with Tickner’s unbeaten 18 and Zakary Foulkes’ calm 14 guiding them home in 44.4 overs. Tickner’s four-wicket haul and match-winning cameo summed up New Zealand’s spirit, disciplined, determined, and dominant across the series.
NZ vs ENG: Blair Tickner’s four-fer and Jacob Duffy’s burst rattle England’s fragile line-up
England’s struggles at the top continued as Tickner and Jacob Duffy combined to devastate their batting order. Duffy set the tone early with three wickets inside the powerplay, exposing England’s frailty against the moving ball. Tickner capitalized on the pressure, removing key middle-order batters and breaking vital partnerships. His figures of 4/64 marked his second consecutive four-wicket haul of the series, following his 4/34 in the previous match.
England slipped to 102/7 before Overton mounted a late resistance, crafting his maiden ODI half-century, a 62-ball 68 laced with ten boundaries and two sixes. Supported by Brydon Carse’s fiery 36 off 30 balls, England crawled to 222 before being bundled out in the 46th over. Tickner’s spell, blending aggression and precision, underlined why his return to international cricket has been so impactful. With eight wickets in two matches, he has emerged as New Zealand’s go-to strike bowler in crunch moments. The disciplined effort from Duffy and Tickner ensured that England’s batting woes remained a recurring story throughout the series.
NZ vs ENG: Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell steady the ship before tail seals series in style
Chasing 223, New Zealand’s innings began smoothly with openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra laying a solid platform through a 78-run stand. Ravindra’s fluent 46 off 37 balls, featuring seven crisp fours, kept the momentum flowing, while Conway’s composed 34 anchored the innings. Even as wickets tumbled in the middle overs, Daryl Mitchell (44 off 68) and skipper Mitchell Santner (27 off 29) ensured the chase didn’t derail completely.
However, England’s bowlers clawed back late, reducing the hosts to 196/8 and reviving hopes of a consolation win. Just when the game seemed to tighten, Foulkes (14*) and Tickner (18*) combined to steer New Zealand home with grit and calmness. Their unbeaten 27-run stand sealed victory with 32 balls to spare, completing a dominant 3-0 whitewash. The series once again highlighted New Zealand’s depth and discipline, with every player contributing when it mattered most. For England, it was another series to forget, marked by inconsistency, collapses, and a lack of adaptability against a well-drilled Kiwi unit.
Here’s how fans reacted:
There've only been 58 times in the history of ODIs that a team has successfully scored 27 (or more) for the final two wickets.
It's happened 4 times in New Zealand, 3 times by NZ and one by Afghanistan vs Scotland in the world cup thriller at University of Otago Oval.
— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl)
Basically…New Zealand are almost impossible to beat at home…
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
That’s 10 ODIs lost in a row…
I guess just maybe our players should get some 50 over practice or choose players that have? Because it either matters or what’s the point? 😬— Annie Chave (@AnnieChave)
Never change England, never change! 🤣
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele)
Why such a terrible attendance for the ODI currently being played between NZ v ENG? Stadium has to be 3/4 empty…
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24)
Ticks and Foulkesy get us home! Another win and a 3-0 series victory over England 🥳
See the full scorecard here –
📸
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
When the team needed, Jamie Overton stood tall. 🫡
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
The English batsmen let down the bowlers in all 3 games . If they have shown more accountability and added 50 more runs in all 3 games could’ve won some games against a fragile NZ batting unit
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan)
Nice finish by Tickner and Foulkes, held their nerves and finished the chase!!! Nice 3-0 win in ODIs after that disappointing T20I series.
— Dheeraj 𝕏 (@Dheeraj_Nayak22)
New Zealand holds a terrific win percentage in ODIs at home 🏆
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
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