New Zealand defeated England by five wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series to take an unassailable 2–0 lead in a low-scoring affair at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
The hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first. The two Kiwi opening bowlers, Jacob Duffy and Zakary Foulkes, dismissed England’s opening batters early. After that, England kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and none of the batters managed to settle in. Captain Harry Brook got a start but could not convert it into a big score, falling for 34. Jamie Overton provided some resistance in the lower order, scoring 42 off 28 balls, but England were bundled out for 175 in just 36 overs.
In consecutive matches, England failed to bat out their 50 overs, having been dismissed in 35.2 overs in the first match. For New Zealand, Blair Tickner ran through the English lower order, taking 4 for 34, while Nathan Smith claimed two wickets.
In reply, New Zealand lost Will Young in the first over when the team’s score was zero. Rachin Ravindra stitched together two partnerships that not only gave the Kiwi innings some stability but also laid the foundation for victory. With Kane Williamson, he added 42 runs, and with Daryl Mitchell, a further 63. Ravindra scored 54 off 58 balls, while Mitchell remained unbeaten on 56. Mitchell Santner also played well, contributing an unbeaten 34 off 17 balls. Tickner was named Player of the Match.
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