Ton-up Taylor sets up New Zealand win

Ross Taylor's century laid the platform for New Zealand's 13-run win under the Duckworth/Lewis method against England in the second one-day international at The Oval on Friday as the Black Caps levelled the five-match series at 1-1.

Taylor's 119 not out and Kane Williamson's 93 were the cornerstone of a total of 398 for five.

It was the highest total England had conceded in all one-day internationals, surpassing the 387 for five posted against them by India at Rajkot in 2008.

Chris Jordan's return of one for 97 in nine overs equalled the England record for the most expensive in an ODI innings, with former fast bowler Stephen Harmison also conceding 97 runs, but in 10 wicketless overs, against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2006.

The most England had made batting second to win an ODI was 306 for five against Pakistan at Karachi in 2000.

England, who had themselves compiled a national record 408 for nine in a 210-run win in the series opener at Edgbaston on Tuesday by 210 runs, saw skipper Eoin Morgan make a quickfire 88.

But with England 345 for seven, rain stopped play.

When the match resumed, England needed 34 to win off 13 balls to reach a revised target of 379 in 46 overs and this proved beyond them as they finished on 365 for nine.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said: "Four hundred should be plenty but England are playing a completely different brand of cricket now.

"I thought it was an outstanding game...Neither team deserved to lose and the weather probably helped us a bit."

England threatened a stunning upset during a fifth-wicket stand of 96 between Morgan and Jos Buttler, the century maker of their Edgbaston victory.

But when Morgan was caught at deep point by Grant Elliott off Mitchell McClenaghan, to end a blistering 47-ball innings featuring six fours and six sixes, England were 274 for six.

Following the rain break, Liam Plunkett (44) and Adil Rashid (34) both holed out against off-spinner Nathan McCullum.

Rashid looked to have hit a six but fell to a brilliant piece of team-work, Tim Southee throwing the ball back in from over the rope for a leaping Trent Boult to complete the catch.

That left England needing 24 off six balls and it proved just beyond them as they finished on 365 for nine.

"I'm disappointed with our fielding and our execution with the ball - but the way we went about the chase, all credit goes to the guys - and to New Zealand," said Morgan.

"We know we bat deep and Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett were outstanding tonight.

- 'Evolving' D/L method -

As for the impact of the Duckworth/Lewis method, Morgan said: "Personally I think it will change over time as the game evolves.

"Potentially that could be looked at."

Tuesday's match had seen England sent into bat.

But Brendon McCullum didn't make the same mistake twice, the captain batting first this time after winning the toss.

Despite Finn starting the match with a maiden, another good pitch, once more allied to a lack of swing, again worked in favour of the team batting first and this time it was England who dropped several tough chances -- with Taylor missed twice on seven and 40.

Williamson fell just short of a hundred when he chipped a Stokes full toss to Plunkett at mid-on.

England made a good start to their reply against a New Zealand attack featuring recalled paceman Southee, rested at Edgbaston following the 1-1 drawn Test series between the two countries.

Southee had taken a devastating seven for 33 when New Zealand beat England by eight wickets at the World Cup in Wellington in February.

But it was the spinners who reduced England from 85 without loss to 100 for three at The Oval.

After Nathan McCullum had Roy caught on the reverse sweep for 39 left-armer Mitchell Santner struck twice in three balls to dismiss Root and Alex Hales (54) with the aid of catches in the deep.

Morgan and Buttler came together at 163 for four and struck a barrage of boundaries.

But Buttler fell for 41 when he was caught behind off left-arm paceman Boult.

The series continues at Southampton on Sunday.
Source: AFP