James Anderson’s five-wicket burst inspired England to series-leveling eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second one-day international at McLain Park, Napier on Wednesday.
The pace spearhead produced the deadly figures of 5-34 to bundle the hosts out for 269 in the penultimate over before tourists rode on the stunning half-centuries from Alastair Cook (78), Jonathan Trott (65 not out) and Joe Root (79 not) to overhaul the target with 14 balls to spare.
New Zealand had won the series-opener in Hamilton.
Cook combined with Ian Bell (44) to deliver the tourists a strong 89-run opening stand before latter, who hit five boundaries in his 65-ball knock, fell to Kane Williamson.
Cook found another able ally in Trott and stitched up 60 runs for the second wicket with him before eventually being caught and bowled off pacer Tim Southee. His knock was laced with seven boundaries and a six.
Trott and Root not looked beyond from and accelerating the flow of runs on board sagaciously, coast New Zealand’s ship..
Root’s 56-ball vigil was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes while Trott hit three boundaries in his 73-ball knock.
Earlier, Anderson justified skipper Cook’s decision to ball first and made early inroads to remove openers BJ Watling (7) and Hamish Rutherford (11) in successive overs to leave the hosts reeling 2-19 inside nine overs.
Following the back-to-back setbacks, Williamson and Taylor started rebuilding the innings and drove up the total to 91-2 before former bowled out off Chris Woakes.
Taylor launched another stint of recovery in the company of Grant Elliott (23) and shared 52 runs for the fifth wicket before Steven Finn struck to remove Elliott.
This time dauntless Taylor found an aggressive ally in the visage of McCullum, who plundered 74 from 36 balls with the help of nine boundaries and four sixes in his 100-run stand with Taylor before eventually being perished off Stuart Broad.
Laced with nine boundaries and a six, Taylor’s glorious knock was ended by Anderson in the penultimate over
