ENG vs NZ, 4th ODI | Malan’s Sublime Century Powers England To Series Victory

England won the series by 3-1. [PC: X]

Dominant England continued to outperform New Zealand as they beat them in the fourth and the final ODI by 100 runs at Lord's on Friday, September 15. It was a tremendous comeback from Jos Buttler and his men from being 1-0 down to winning three consecutive matches and clinch the four-match series by 3-1 margin. .

Malan blistering ton propels England to formidable 311/9

Dawid Malan. {PC: X]

After electing to bat first, England got off to a decent start but lost Jonny Bairstow early inside the very first five overs. Joe Root, desperate for runs, joined Dawid Malan in the middle and the duo went on to add 79 runs for the second wicket.

Malan continued from where he left in the third ODI as he was at his aggressive best right from the word go, while Root had a struggling stay and departed after making 29 off 40. Harry Brook, replacing Ben Stokes at four, fell cheaply to Rachin Ravindra.

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However, Malan, who fell four short of his 5th ODI century in the last game, completed it this time in just 96 balls. The southpaw continued the onslaught before departing for 127 off the bowling of Ravindra, who came back into the attack and took his third wicket.

The lower order chipped in following Malan’s dismissal as England finished past the 300-run mark. With the ball, Rachin Ravindra was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking four wickets in his 10 overs. The Kiwis actually did a commendable job after losing Tim Southee and Ben Lister to injuries.

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Moeen's spin web helps England to seal the series

Moeen Ali took 4 wickets. [PC: X]

In pursuit of a mammoth 311, New Zealand had a decent first ten overs, scoring 51 on the board but lost both the openers. They went on to lose in-form Daryl Mitchell following the powerplay off the bowling of Brydon Carse.

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Thereafter, Tom Latham joined hands with Henry Nicholls and tried to stitch a partnership. However, just when things got little settled for the visitors, Moeen Ali removed Latham in his very first over to push New Zealand further back in the chase. He soon went on to remove Nicholls in the very same spell, reducing the Blackcaps to five down at the halfway mark.

England were in complete control as New Zealand never got going in the chase. However, there was some late fireworks from Rachin Ravindra, who managed to entertain the crowd with his maiden ODI half century. 

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Eventually, England got over the line, bowling New Zealand out for 211. Moeen Ali was the pick of the bowlers as he completely broke the back of the Blackcaps' batting order with his 4-50.

Brief scores

England - 311/9 (50 overs)

Dawid Malan 127 (114), Jos Buttler 36 (31);

Rachin Ravindra 4-60 (10), Daryl Mitchell 2-40 (7)

New Zealand - 211/10 (38.2)

Rachin Ravindra 57 (52), Henry Nicholls 41 (48);

Moeen Ali 4-50 (10), David Willey 1-28 (6)

England won by 100  runs