KANE HAILS HOT LIONS
NEW ZEALAND captain Kane Williamson hailed England’s one-day renaissance after his team were denied at the death in a nerve-jangling match at Westpac Stadium.
England had lost all four of their previous ODIS at this venue, including a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand at the 2015 World Cup.
Back then the Black Caps had chased down 124 in just 12.2 overs during a tournament that saw Eoin Morgan’s men crash out in the first round.
Three years on, though, this England team are a different proposition having undertaken a remarkable transformation in 50-over cricket, making them favourites for the 2019 World Cup on home soil.
“They are a very good side,” said Williamson. “They have all bases covered. They have a number of all-rounders so they bat a long way down and have a number of bowling options They’re a very good one-day team, but that’s fine. We are focusing on our cricket.
“We were two balls away from going ahead in the series. The guys fought hard. We have to move on from this one.”