Published: Jun 20, 2015, 09:27 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 20, 2015, 02:09 PM (IST)
Two sharp teams have walked toe-to-toe to the fifth and final match of the One-Day International (ODI) series. But whoever wins, it will, most likely and most appropriately, be an evenly matched contest with lots of runs. Abhishek Mukherjee previews the series decider at Chester-le-Street.
Quality fit for limited-overs cricket was always present in the England setup, but its realisation took a little time to arrive. A new coach, and minor tweaks in the squad may have helped, but the clinching factor is their finding their feet in the current express-pace environment. This was what was missing in the World Cup earlier in the year, when they struggled to keep pace with the rest, but now at home, they are discovering how to put together a complete performance of the all-out attacking kind. Also, they are enjoying doing it and are not lost. READ: Jonny Bairstow to cover for injured Jos Buttler ahead of England’s 5th ODI against New Zealand
Limited-overs cricket largely demands units with ambition and readiness for lots of runs, regardless of batting first or second. England’s batsmen have scored plenty of them: their lowest innings total this series is 302. Despite New Zealand’s depletion of bowling resources being a helping factor, it is a remarkable achievement. READ: England have decoded ODI batting but bowling remains suspect
Their success has been well reciprocated by their opposition. 350 may not have a winning total in the last match in Nottingham, but with a little more momentum push, or on a different day, they may have clinched the series. The first ODI was the only occasion in which they have been caught off-guard. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, their solid middle-order batsmen, are the top two highest run-getters in the series, with 346 and 328 runs. If Brendon McCullum comes off with his typical blitzes to flatten the bowling attack in the first ten overs, it will give New Zealand that push that converts large scores into match-winning ones. READ: New Zealand’s bowling woes continue to mar batting brilliance
For the series decider, they will miss the quality of Trent Boult, who, with just two games, is still among the highest wicket-takers in the series, with six wickets. England’s bowling attack, on the other hand, has been bolstered by the confidence of of Steven Finn and the cavalier skills of Ben Stokes. A new spin option, Adil Rashid, completes their attack to counter their opponents’ batting eminence.
New Zealand will have to beat a side getting more oiled with each outing. Where it was the captain Eoin Morgan’s lack of form that inhibited his unit, it is his form now — four back-to-back knocks of above 50, including an 82-ball 113, and a 47-ball 88 — which is leading the sunny resurgence which, albeit in a much smaller platform than the World Cup, will be a statement. His side’s previous outing at the venue turned into a disaster as they had been bowled out for 99 against Sri Lanka, chasing 257, but this unit has a different demeanour about them.
Squads:
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Alex Hales, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, David Willey, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Mark Wood. Withdrawn players: Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Jonny Bairstow
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi (wk), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, Ben Wheeler.
Time: 10:30 local | 09:30 GMT | 15:00 IST
(Abhishek Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. His Twitter handle is @bhejafryyy)
