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Filed under Eng in NZ 2008

Back to back wins at Wellington and Hamilton - New Zealand had suddenly turned unbeatable since losing both the twenty20 matches earlier on this England tour of New Zealand 2008.

At Auckland - England made a comeback. solid win by 6 wickets. 5 match ODI series now stands 2-1 in favour of New Zealand, with Napier & Christchurch onedayers to be played. England vs New Zealand 3 test match series starts 5 March (tour schedule).

Ian Bell (although didn't get the man of the match award), he was the leading architect of English win after Jacob Oram had propelled shaking New Zealand innings to 234. for the loss of 9 wickets in exactly 50 overs. scorecard. Bell is most promising young England batsman to emerge in last couple of years and every now & then - he'll showcase his ability with cricket bat. sadly, he ain't that consistent as yet.

To begin the story from beginning - captain Collinwood asked for fielding once coin rolled into his favour. One must question the way Daniel Vettori tosses the coin before every match and then I wonder wheater ICC has a written rule on how a coin must be flicked in air before a cricket match starts..!

Meanwhile, England had done their home work on Opener Jesse Ryder - who likes to hit square of wicket rather than straight. In fact, Collingwood applied three fielders square on off side and vertually no one on mid-off after Ryder had got off to a start. Finally - Ryder pulled an James Anderson delivery straight to SQUARE leg. Left handed batsman did not hit one shot straight down the ground!?!

England were also aware of (other opener) Brenden McCullum's liking of charging down the pitch to fast bowlers. Everytime he charged in this match - Anderson & Sidebottom pitched it short and at him. a plan very well executed to dismiss both openers & England had made early inroads.

Ross Taylor is another special batting talent, but his liking to go across the line way too early before getting set - frustrates me. Scott Styris is fast losing his love for cricket & Jamie How fell at the same time.. Meaning - England bowlers on top.

Captain Daniel Vettori joins all rounder Jacob Oram and both lefthanders counter attacked. short boundaries at Auckland fetched them very quick runs towards the end of innings. England had a target of 234 to chase before rain interruption which changed it to 229 in 47 overs.

As I said, Ian Bell played wonderfully at number 3 and got good support from Kevin Pietersen. Captain Collingwood, having already taken 3 wickets in the match - struck 70 off 50 balls & didn't allow Kiwis to build pressure.

England boys demonstrated exactly how a total in oneday internationals should be chased. Marvelous!

England in New Zealand 2008 : Tour schedule

England vs New Zealand 2008 cricket series

Eng v NZ twin Twenty20s, on 5th & 7th feb 2008

Scorecard : Eng v NZ 1st T20 : 5th feb 2008

England ride on Dimitri, win 1st T20 vs NZ

Collingwood's day : odi series still alive