Eoin Morgan (left) and Joe Root both scored excellent tons © Getty Images
Magnificent centuries from Eoin Morgan and Joe Root, and a crucial fifty from Alex Hales inspired England to a remarkable victory over New Zealand in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at Trent Bridge. With this win, England draw level 2-2 with New Zealand heading into the fifth and final ODI of the series. This match also marks the final appearance of umpire Steve Davis, who had announced that this would be the final ODI before his retirement. UPDATES: England vs New Zealand 2015, 4th ODI at Trent Bridge
Jason Roy and Alex Hales finally delivered on their promise of being potentially the most explosive opening combination in ODIs, amassing a round 100 for the first wicket. After a maiden over from Ben Wheeler to start with, Hales and Roy combined to take the same bowler for 17 runs in the third over, thereby gaining momentum that helped them take the bowling apart. SCORECARD: England vs New Zealand 2015, 4th ODI at Trent Bridge
It took an error from Hales to finally end the partnership. His attempted slog off Matt Henry took the inside edge onto the stumps for a 38-ball 67 with seven boundaries and four sixes. He was joined in the pavilion soon by fellow opener Roy for a 35-ball 38, who drove one from Henry firmly only to see Kane Williamson hang on to a screamer at short cover. READ: New Zealand set a stiff target 350 to England in the 4th ODI at Trent Bridge
That brought Morgan out to join Root though, and New Zealand had no more success till it was far too late. Root was the first to get to his half-century, but by the time Morgan got out he had scored 113 while Root was on only 85. It was not that Root had gone into a shell; on the contrary his strike rate never dipped too far below 100. Such was the impact of England’s captain that even the brisk Root was made to look pedestrian.
Morgan went from 87 to 103 in four balls, letting out a scream of triumph after reaching his eighth ODI century. He was out soon thereafter for an 82-ball 113, but by then the game was virtually finished. Root soon got to his century as well, a silken innings laced with his trademark drives and flicks. He got a top edge while on 98, the only blemish in an otherwise sublime knock, but the ball landed just past the outstretched arms of the fielder as Root scampered for a couple to bring up the three-figure mark. Ben Stokes played a couple of big hits at the end to finish the match early, as England completed an emphatic victory.
Earlier, the Black Caps were off to a brisk start thanks to Brendon McCullum (35) and Martin Guptill (53). The duo added 88 for the opening wicket in 13 overs before the captain edged Mark Wood behind to Jos Buttler. Guptill was dismissed later looking to go big after laying the groundwork for a challenging score.
Kane Williamson, batting at No. 3, followed up his century in the previous game with another sublime 90 off 70 balls. He added 101 with Ross Taylor (42) before the latter was out LBW to Steven Finn. Williamson also went past 3,000 ODI runs in the process, becoming the fifth-fastest batsman to the landmark.
Grant Elliott (55) then held the innings together as a few late strikes from England brought them back into the contest. However, at 271 for 5 in the 44th over, England ought to have restricted New Zealand to far less than 349 for 7. That the Kiwis got as much was due to a terrific cameo from all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who smashed 44 off only 19 balls with three fours and four sixes.
Santner took Adil Rashid for 28 runs in the 48th over. However, the leggie came back with a terrific last over in which he conceded only five runs (four off the bat) and took a wicket as well. In the end, England’s batting might overcame a lacklustre bowling performance and ensured that the series stays alive heading into the final ODI.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 349 for 7 in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 53, Kane Williamson 90, Grant Elliott 55*; David Willey 2 for 89, Ben Stokes 2 for 73) lost to England 350 for 3 in 44 overs (Alex Hales 67, Joe Root 106*, Eoin Morgan 113; Matt Henry 2 for 77) by 7 wickets.
Player of the Match: Eoin Morgan
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)