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In a rain-curtailed affair at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, New Zealand suffered a massive collapse as they got bowled out for 147 and lost the second ODI by 79 runs. David Willey and Reece Topley took three wickets each whereas Liam Livingstone played a brilliant counter-attacking knock of 78-ball 95 to help England win the 34 overs per side game and level four-ODI series 1-1.
Earlier, Tom Latham won the toss and opted to field first after a long rain delay. On his return to ODI cricket after nearly a year, Trent Boult got the new ball talking. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root got out playing across the line whereas Ben Stokes paid the price for taking the aerial route. England were reduced to 8/3 in the fifth over.
Skipper Jos Buttler launched a counter-attack. Meanwhile, Harry Brook became Matt Henry's victim in the eighth over. Buttler's cameo came to an end as he got bowled by Mitchell Santner. England lost half their side for 55 in the 13th over. Moeen Ali and Livingstone rebuilt the innings with a 48-run partnership. Ali played a few shots but could not carry on. He lost his wicket to Southee after scoring 33 runs from 32 balls.
Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran gave the crowd something to cheer for. Livingstone got to his half-century from 47 balls. Curran took the attacking approach in the slog overs. He got dismissed by Southee in the final over for a 35-ball 42. Willey announced his arrival at the crease with a six. Livingstone could not get to his century. He remained unbeaten for 95 off 78 balls including 10 fours and a six. His belligerent knock took England to a fighting total of 226/7.
In the run chase, Finn Allen departed for a two-ball duck to Willey. Devon Conway struggled to score and got out caught behind to debutant Gus Atkinson in the ninth over. Will Young was batting well but he got run out by Willey's direct hit from mid-off. Skipper Latham failed to make a mark and became Topley's first victim of the day. Topley followed it up with the wickets of Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra in the 23rd over.
With wickets falling at the other end, Daryl Mitchell succumbed to the pressure and lost his wicket to Ali. He scored 57 runs from 52 balls including six fours and a six. In the same over Santner departed for a single-digit score. In the 27th over, Willey mopped up the tail as New Zealand got bowled out for 147 with 43 balls left in the innings.
“Liam came with intent and Curran was also good. We wanted to find ways to put pressure back on the opposition and, push their lengths because there was enough help for bowlers initially. Encouraging everyone to be ultra positive. Defining roles will come. Everyone is pretty clear with the options they have in the team. Livingstone and Curran batting at 7 and 8, well within their right to bat higher. We talked about improving from the last game,” Buttler said in the post-match presentation.
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