New Zealand blown away at Edgbaston as England finally buck the trend

England have made a strong statement with their win in the first ODI

With a new-look squad at his disposal, England captain Eoin Morgan had proclaimed that his side will start the ODI series by trying to catch up having lost ground on the world’s best sides. However, England fans had heard those words before - seemingly promising statements that have ultimately flattered to deceive but not this time, as Morgan and his men sauntered to a convincing victory against New Zealand at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday.

Having won the toss and chosen to bowl first, New Zealand got off to the best possible start getting a wicket in the first over when opener Jason Roy, playing only his second ODI, hit Trent Boult straight into the hands of Martin Guptill at backward point. Boult then got rid of the dangerous Alex Hales, who failed to keep a pull shot down and ended up giving a simple catch to Matt Henry at fine leg.

Just when England seemed to be in some sort of bother, Joe Root along with Morgan forged a 121-run stand from 15 overs to bail the side out of shaky waters. Root (104) played some handsome looking strokes en route to his fifth century which included 13 hits to the fence and two sixes. He was ably supported by Morgan who came into his elements during his knock of 50 off 46 deliveries, in which he hit a boundary and three towering hits over the fence.

Morgan was then trapped lbw by Mitchell McClenaghan and Root fell to Trent Boult as England lost both their set batsmen in a space of only 9 deliveries. That triggered a mini-collapse which saw England lose 4 for 31 in seven overs, but Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid took charge of the proceedings from thereon leading an all-out assault on New Zealand.

Buttler was particularly harsh on the bowlers as he bludgeoned them all over the park, smashing five sixes and 13 boundaries in his entertaining knock of 129 from just 77 balls. He was involved in a world record 7th-wicket partnership of 177 in 17 overs with Rashid (69) as England posted a record total of 408 for 9 at the end of the innings. For New Zealand, Trent Boult (4 for 55) was the pick of the bowlers. McClenaghan and Elliott got two wickets apiece.

In reply, New Zealand began their chase in familiar fashion gathering 11 runs off the first over of the innings, but Steven Finn had the last laugh when he got rid of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum off the final delivery of the first over. With McCullum back in the dressing room, Martin Guptill tried to put some urgency in the chase by hitting four boundaries but soon became Finn’s second scalp of the day.

Kane Williamson then began the repair work along with Ross Taylor putting on 42 before the former got out to Rashid after scoring 45 from 43 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries. Taylor was then joined by Elliott who scored 24 before getting run-out and New Zealand were 4 down for 160. Taylor (57) tried to stem the rot with some powerful hits but fell to Finn.

It was all downhill from there for New Zealand who were restricted to only 198, thanks to a spirited bowling effort from the hosts. Finn (4 for 35) spearheaded the effort with the ball and got help from Rashid (4 for 55) as England registered a comprehensive win in the first of the five-match ODI series.

After enduring a wretched campaign at the World Cup earlier this year, England will be relieved that their “new era” has started on a positive note. While it is too early to make a definitive conclusion, New Zealand definitely have an uphill task on their hands against an outfit on the resurgence.