McCullum takes Kiwis home in thrilling ODI
Brendom McCullum helped New Zealand to victory against England in the first ODI. The Kiwis chased down 259 successfully with seven balls remaining to take a series lead.
England will be wondering what if though after they chipped away at the Black Caps line-up and got themselves in a good position to win when they reduced the home side to 218-7 but McCullum put paid to their hopes.
England, sent into bat first, produced a carefully crafted start to their innings and were poised for a final onslaught when they reached 220 for four in the 44th over.
Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root, who all missed the recently concluded Twenty20 series, won by England 2-1, were the chief architects of the solid start to the innings.
After the early departure of Alastair Cook, Bell and Trott put on 84 for the second wicket in their first innings of the tour before Bell was out for 64 when he edged James Franklin to wicketkeeper McCullum.
Trott recovered from a slow start to reach 68 before he was bowled by Kyle Mills after adding 89 with Root for the third wicket. Root went on to make 56.
New Zealand were then 132 for four and required 126 off the final 96 balls. Franklin, Nathan McCullum and Andrew Ellis all played brief cameos before Guptill re-entered the fray to help Brendon McCullum seal the outcome.
The second match in the series will be played in Napier on Wednesday.
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