Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor both scored hundreds in a record-breaking stand as New Zealand beat England by three wickets in the third one-day international (ODI) at the Rose Bowl on Sunday to go 2-1 up in the five-match series. New Zealand, chasing 303 for victory, were struggling at 36 for two.
However, a stand of 206 between Williamson and Taylor turned the tide, although England dropped both batsmen.
Williamson made 118 and Taylor 110 — his second century in as many matches after his unbeaten 119 during New Zealand’s 13 run-win at the Oval on Friday leveled the series at 1-1.
Photo: AP
That match also saw Williamson and Taylor share a partnership of 121.
However, their stand at the Rose Bowl was a New Zealand record for the third wicket in all ODI cricket, surpassing the 180 put on by Adam Parore and Ken Rutherford against India in 1994. New Zealand lost a couple of late wickets and it needed a four by Tim Southee off Ben Stokes to see the World Cup finalists complete victory with an over to spare.
England were left regretting being bowled out for 302 with 28 balls of their innings left after skipper Eoin Morgan, who top-scored with 71, won the toss.
“Kane and Ross just keep churning out the results for us,” New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said at the presentation ceremony.
New Zealand’s reply got off to a shaky start when Martin Guptill — who made 189 not out in the corresponding fixture on this ground two years ago — was LBW for two to an inswinger from left-armer David Willey.
McCullum also fell cheaply, LBW for 11 to Durham’s Mark Wood, playing after Liam Plunkett was ruled out with a side strain.
Taylor gave a tough chance on 17 when wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, anticipating his sweep off leg-spinner Adil Rashid, just failed to hold what would have been a spectacular one-handed catch.
Taylor was dropped on 67 when Buttler could not cling on to a one-handed chance off Wood, and he was missed again on 72 when Stokes dropped a sharp chance off a full-blooded hook, with Wood again the unlucky bowler. The elegant Williamson then completed an 88-ball hundred, including 11 fours.
He was dropped twice after reaching three figures, with Wood flooring a sitter at mid-off when Williamson was on 109.
Williamson drove Willey for a seemingly effortless six, but was out next ball when Wood held a far tougher chance than the one he had missed.
Taylor, whose hundred came off 105 balls, was eventually out when he played on to Willey.
Earlier, Tim Southee (three for 44) and debutant Ben Wheeler (three for 63) did the bulk of the damage as New Zealand held England to a below-par total.
Morgan made 71, Stokes 68 and Joe Root 54, but England lost their last five wickets for 14 runs.
The 23-year-old Wheeler, replacing Trent Boult after his fellow left-arm paceman was ruled out of the rest of the tour with a back injury, scuppered England’s hopes of a 350-plus total when he dismissed both Sam Billings and Stokes.
The ODI series continues at Trent Bridge tomorrow.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely