England vs New Zealand LIVE: Ben Stokes’ brilliant innings inspires England to victory in third ODI at the Oval

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NEW BALL. OUT! Caught. Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. In-swinging length ball, down leg side on the front foot flick, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to backward square leg, caught by Conway.

Jonny Bairstow will be on strike for the first ball of the day from the Vauxhall Road end.

England’s preparations for the Cricket World Cup continue as they take on New Zealand in the third ODI of this four-match warm-up series.

The series is delicately poised at 1-1 following New Zealand’s stomping victory in the first game and England’s impressive comeback at Southampton.

Liam Livingstone was the star of the show at the Ageas Bowl scoring 95 not out in a rain-affected affair after England had earlier been reduced to 8-3. The hosts set a total of 226-7 from their 34 overs and the Kiwis were unable to mount an effective run chase.

Wickets consistently fell despite Daryl Mitchell attempting to steady the ship with a fine knock of 57. David Willey and Reece Topley each took three wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 147.

England now head into the third match with confidence but there are questions to be asked of their senior players. Joe Root has twiced been dismissed cheaply and Ben Stokes will hope to find a bit of rhythm with the bat ahead of the World Cup in India this October.

New Zealand:

1. Will Young

2. Devon Conway

3. Henry Nicholls

4. Daryl Mitchell

5. Tom Latham

6. Glenn Phillips

7. Rachin Ravindra

8. Kyle Jamieson

9. Lockie Ferguson

10. Trent Boult

11. Ben Lister

Reece Topley wants to consign his injury woes to the past but admits there will be some trepidation at boarding the plane to India for the defence of England’s World Cup crown.

Having overcome four separate stress fractures in his back, Topley appeared primed for a leading role at last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia but he had to watch England’s triumphant campaign from afar.

A freak trip over a boundary cushion ahead of their final warm-up caused ankle ligament damage and, when he was on the comeback trail, Topley dislocated his shoulder at the Indian Premier League in April.

England:

1. Dawid Malan

2. Jonny Bairstow

3. Joe Root

4. Ben Stokes

5. Jos Buttler (wkt, capt)

6. Moeen Ali

7. Liam Livingstone

8. Sam Curran

9. Chris Woakes

10. Gus Atkinson

11. Reece Topley

New Zealand have won the toss and chosen to bowl.

There will be no Jason Roy at his home ground, as he is out with a back spasm sustained on the morning of the game.

New Zealand will be without Mitchell Santner who jarred his knee while fielding in the last match.

David Willey knows from bitter experience that a place in England’s provisional World Cup squad comes with no guarantees, but the left-armer believes he is the ideal man to do the “donkey” work in India.

Willey was selected in the preliminary 15 for the tournament last month, with head coach Matthew Mott effectively confirming in a phone call that the all-rounder would be part of England’s title defence.

And while that news was exactly what he wanted to hear, the 33-year-old is understandably aware of the fineprint that underpins any such promises having been the odd man out four years ago.

Jofra Archer joined England’s practice session at the Kia Oval on Tuesday, keeping alive prospects of him travelling to next month’s World Cup as a reserve.

Archer, who bowled the super over that made England world champions at Lord’s four years ago, has missed the entire summer with a stress fracture in his right elbow and was not considered fit enough for a place in the provisional 15-man squad.

But with his recovery tracking in the right direction, it is not out of the question that he could be picked as injury cover, joining the squad in India and becoming available if injuries strike during the tournament.

Jofra Archer joined England’s training session at The Oval on Tuesday ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand, keeping alive the prospect of the lightning-quick fast bowler going to next month’s Cricket World Cup as a reserve.

Archer, who was part of England’s World Cup-winning team in 2019, has missed the entire summer because of a stress fracture in his right elbow and was not fit enough to earn a place in the provisional 15-man squad for the tournament in India..

“Yeah, he looks in a good place. I don’t know where he’s at fitness-wise, but he’s bowling good wheels out there today,” David Willey said about Archer’s return.

“Everyone knows how good is he is, what he’s capable of and how he can impact games. So to have him close or not far away from being fit is obviously fantastic news.”