After winning the Twenty20 series in New Zealand, England then went on to lose in the first one day international, with captain Alastair Cook saying they were “rusty.”
England lost the first ODI to New Zealand yesterday despite building up a total of 220-5, before losing their remaining wickets for just 38 runs. Kane Williamson then scored 74 for the Kiwis, before Brendan McCullum made 69 not-out and guided his side to victory with seven balls to spare.
None of the top three for England appeared in the Twenty20 series and it was this fact that Cook blamed the defeat on, saying after the match:
“You are always a little bit rusty when you haven’t had a practice match or a training session as a side.”
With the second ODI starting at 1.00am British time on Wednesday morning, Cook will be hoping that some practice sessions will help his side level the series. Although Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root all scored half-centuries in the first match, too many others failed to perform – with Cook himself scoring just four.
Stuart Broad, a man trying to establish himself as a bit of an all-rounder, managed just one run and it appeared that England were lacking the steel required to make a match-winning total. They weren’t much better with the ball, despite James Anderson becoming England’s all-time wicket taker, it was Christopher Woakes who had the best figures of 2-52.
It was a fairly unimaginative display from England and English fans will be hoping Cook’s testament of more practice will pay dividends.
Statistics from BBC Sport.
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