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Not even a fiery pre-Ashes fast bowing performance from Jofra Archer could deflect attention from England’s woeful one-day record as they lost to New Zealand by five wickets at Seddon Park.
Archer was comfortably his side’s most threatening presence in his first appearance of the winter, producing figures of 10-4-23-3, but it was not enough to halt a ninth straight 50-over defeat for England overseas or a sixth bilateral series defeat in their last seven.
Ultimately, this match was settled at the halfway stage after another listless batting performance took England’s total to 398 runs in a combined 71.2 overs this series.
Blair Tickner celebrated his recall following a two-year absence by claiming career-best figures of four for 34, standing in for calf injury victim Matt Henry.
On the eve of the middle contest of three here, Tickner spoke of the emotional journey he has been on since the 2024 English county season, following his wife Sarah’s leukaemia diagnosis.
And he made the most of a surprise return to international colours at the age of 32, snarling Joe Root with a leg-side strangle before coming back to demolish the tail.
Jofra Archer had a fine outing in Hamilton but few England stars distinguished themselves in another ODI defeat
Harry Brook's side did not post enough runs to keep them safe from New Zealand's chase
Just as in Mount Maunganui last weekend, England were asked to bat first in conditions akin to pre-season back home, this time after a pre-game shower delayed things by 10 minutes.
Just as then, they relied on captain Harry Brook to get them out of trouble, only for a spectacular one-handed catch at point by Will Young to account for Sunday’s centurion.
From 105 for six, it took an innings high stand of 38 for the seventh wicket to provide a modicum of respectability to the total.
Brook immediately threw the ball to Archer, who claimed 11 wickets in his three previous limited-overs appearances for England and he struck again during a menacing wicket maiden start to New Zealand’s chase of 176.
Touching 90 miles per hour, his third delivery cut Young in half after searing back off the seam and with his next he struck the New Zealand opener on the pad in front of middle stump to win a stonewall leg before decision.
The 30-year-old began celebrating without looking round for umpire Cory Black’s decision and he was almost as excited by the final ball of the over that beat Kane Williamson for pace and triggered another huge appeal.
Williamson survived, but only on umpire’s call after an England review showed the ball to be clipping the top of off-stump.
There was also a close call for New Zealand’s premier batsman Williamson at the end of Archer’s fourth over - another maiden - when one that jagged back caught the inside edge, but was shown to have been scooped up into wicketkeeper Jos Buttler’s right glove on the half-volley.
New Zealand's Kane Williamson survived a close call after Archer's delivery beat him for pace
He later returned to add the scalps of Rachin Ravindra, lured into a bouncer trap, and Michael Bracewell, caught down the leg side, to add to a scintillating new-ball spell of 5-2-8-1.
Adil Rashid also moved level in second place amongst England’s bowlers with fellow Yorkshireman Darren Gough by claiming Tom Latham as his 234th victim - leg before - as England reduced the New Zealanders to 118 for five.
But once again it was Daryl Mitchell, who remained composed in the chase, following Ravindra to a half-century during a late thrash alongside Black Caps captain Santner.
