England’s batting collapsed once again against New Zealand’s potent pace attack as they were dismissed for 222 in the third and final One Day International in Wellington on Saturday.
Already leading the series 2-0, New Zealand were well positioned for a clean sweep after electing to field first and dismantling England’s top order for a third consecutive match.
Seamer Blair Tickner (4-64) claimed four wickets for the second successive game, targeting England’s middle and lower order after the tourists had been reduced to 44-5.
All-rounder Jamie Overton’s maiden ODI half-century provided the backbone of England’s recovery.
Overton was the last man out for 68 in the 41st over, maintaining a consistent performance throughout the series by passing 40 in all three innings. Brydon Carse also produced a career-best score in the format, smashing four sixes en route to 36, while Jos Buttler compiled an uncharacteristically patient 38.
Earlier in the innings, Zakary Foulkes (2-27) removed Jamie Smith and Joe Root within the first four overs.
New-ball partner Jacob Duffy (3-56) then struck cheaply to dismiss Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell before the 11th over, with England’s specialist batsmen again falling victim to reckless stroke-making.
England’s top four accumulated just 84 runs across the three matches, the fewest by any team’s top four in a men’s ODI series or tournament where they batted at least three times.
The tourists never came close to completing a 50-over innings throughout the series, being dismissed for 223 in a four-wicket loss at Mount Maunganui and for 175 in the subsequent five-wicket defeat in Hamilton on Wednesday.
New Zealand’s consistent dominance with both ball and fielding underscored England’s batting frailties, leaving them without a single victory in the series.