England vs New Zealand LIVE: Ben Stokes’ brilliant innings inspires England to victory in third ODI at the Oval
The four-match series is all square at 1-1 following England’s victory at the Ageas Bowl
England are looking to back up their impressive win at the Ageas Bowl with another victory over New Zealand when the two teams meet at The Oval this afternoon for the third one day international in this four match series.
Liam Livingstone was the star for England at Southampton, anchoring the innings with a wonderfully worked 95* from 78 deliveries in a rain-affected first innings. His heroics were needed after Trent Boult had earlier reduced England to 8-3 but Livingstone, backed up by decent knocks from Moeen Ali and Sam Curran saw the hosts up to 226-7.
In reply New Zealand lost constant wickets and could only muster 147 all out despite a fighting half-century from Daryl Mitchell. England’s win leaves this series delicately poised as the teams take to the field for the third ODI this afternoon with Jos Buttler hoping his top order batters rediscover their form ahead of the Cricket World Cup in October.
Follow all the latest live coverage of today's match in the live blog below:
England vs New Zealand
37.2
Reece Topley to Ben Lister. Short, outside off stump on the back foot Steer, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to third man for 1 run, fielded by Woakes.
England vs New Zealand
36.6
Liam Livingstone to Lockie Ferguson. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, bottom edge to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Ali.
England vs New Zealand
36.5
Liam Livingstone to Ben Lister. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Curran.
England vs New Zealand
36.4
OUT! Caught. Liam Livingstone to Trent Boult. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to extra cover, caught by Ali.
England vs New Zealand
36.3
Liam Livingstone to Trent Boult. Off break back of a length, outside off stump down the track pushing, to point for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
Wicket! Boult out for 2! New Zealand 181 for 9, still trail by 187
And that’s the breakthrough England had been hoping for.
Boult jsut trying to hit over the top and was caught by Moeen Ali off the bowling of Liam Livingstone, just the one more wicket required now by England.
New Zealand 179-8 (36), Ferguson 3, Boult 2, still need 184 to win
Things are still just meandering along here at the Oval, there is very little life in the game and the enthusiasm from the crowd has dipped to the extent that numbers have already started leaving.
England need just two more wickets to seal the victory, after a stunning first innings,
England vs New Zealand
36.2
Liam Livingstone to Lockie Ferguson. Off break full toss, down leg side on the front foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Topley.
England vs New Zealand
36.1
Wide Liam Livingstone to Lockie Ferguson. Off break length ball, down leg side on the front foot glancing, Play and Miss (Leg Side) for 1 run, mis-fielded by Buttler.
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