EOIN IN LATE WICKET WOE

ENGLAND were punished for throwing away their last five wickets for 14 runs as New Zealand cruised to a three-wicket win.

The good news for Eoin Morgan’s men was they posted a third successive score of more than 300 for the first time.

But such stats papered over the cracks of their collapse, England wilting from a promising 288-5 to 302 all out, failing to use 28 balls of their full 50 overs at the Ageas Bowl.

A Kiwi record third-wicket stand of 206 from Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson settled early nerves – and after that there was only likely to be one outcome in Southampton.

Still, after the disaster of the World Cup, England fans are finally being offered cricket that gets pulses racing. Skipper Morgan said: “We made mistakes, but I am not worried about us not batting out the full 50 overs.

“From time to time that will happen. We are trying to change the mindset with the bat, which may take time.

“We have come a long way in the last three games, scoring 300 in three games, which is a huge turnaround from where we were.”

Joe Root, Morgan and a rapid 68 from Ben Stokes got the blood flowing – as did youngster Sam Billings, who smashed 34 in just 16 balls.

But a side of New Zealand’s ability are always capable of hitting back – and they did.

David Willey, in his first ODI in England, dismissed Martin Guptill lbw with his second ball before Mark Wood trapped Brendon McCullum.

But the Kiwis then powered on and England contributed to their own downfall as they blew three chances to dismantle the Williamson/ Taylor partnership.

Jos Buttler, Stokes and Wood all dropped catches before Wood finally held one to get rid of Williamson, but by then the Kiwis were 242-3.

They had a late wobble but Tim Southee hit the winning runs with an over to spare.

Williamson said: “From an England perspective, you will play a lot worse than that and win.

“Any score as big as that is a real challenge and it required a full batting performance to chase it.”