ENG VS NZ ODI

Right then, that is it from another one-sided game in this series as England leads 2-1 now. They will look to seal it with another victory while the Kiwis will want to finish on level terms. The focus now moves to the fourth and final ODI which will be played at Lord's on 15th September, Friday at 5 pm IST (11.30 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to that game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Jos Buttler, the victorious skipper of England says that he is really pleased with the performance. Adds that he talked about putting the opposition under pressure at the toss, and they were tested as well as they lost two quick wickets, but credits Stokes and Malan for stitching that amazing partnership. Tells that the 182 from Stokes was really special and Malan played fantastically as well, he then praises Chris Woakes for his spell with the new ball along with Topley. Says that they found the lateral movement and hit the right lengths which put the Kiwis behind in the game. Ends by saying that the most important things was to be aggressive and to reach that kind of a total without playing the full overs was really special for them.

Tom Latham, the captain of New Zealand says that Stokes and Malan batted well and set up a good partnership but they pulled them back towards the end pretty nicely. He adds that they couldn't build a partnership which was the reason for their loss. He appreciates his bowlers for bowling out the Englishmen using the surface well. He mentions that the conditions were suited for swing and doesn't blame the bowlers for the loss. He adds that Glenn Phillips played a good knock but they were outplayed in this game.

Ben Stokes is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sublime hundred. He says it is a great feeling to perform well for the team. He jokingly apologizes to Jason Roy for breaking his record also crediting the bowlers for bowling well. He adds that the support for the youngsters in the team is essential and it has been helpful for them. He mentions that the plan was to keep the pressure on the opposition. About his partnership, he says that Dawid Malan is a consistent player and that rotation of strikes helped them build the partnership. He adds that he feels a little tired after his long innings as online Test matches you do not get breaks in this format.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, after being forced to bat first, England posted a huge total on the board courtesy of a swash-buckling 182 from Ben Stokes which is now the highest individual score for England in ODIs. Dawid Malan was also brilliant for his 96 and just missed out on his century. Trent Boult registered a fine five-wicket haul as well for the Kiwis while Benjamin Lister got three scalps while Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Phillips chipped in with one each. While chasing, New Zealand put in another disappointing batting performance with only Phillips being the lone warrior as they fell to a massive defeat.

England, on the other hand, will be extremely pleased with their bowling effort. It all started with Chris Woakes who made the ball talk and destroyed the top three of the visitors which set the tone for them. He was bowling so well that Jos Buttler gave him an eight-over first spell and he did not disappoint. He was backed up well by Reece Topley who ended up with two crucial wickets too. Sam Curran got the important wicket of the in-form Daryl Mitchell which put the hosts well on top of this game. Glenn Phillips was proving to be difficult to get rid of but Liam Livingstone removed him and along with Moeen Ali shared four wickets among themselves with the former wrapping things up in the end.

New Zealand got off to a very shaky start as their top order had no answers to the brilliant swing bowling from Chris Woakes. They lost three wickets inside the Powerplay and were reduced to 70/5 which put them well behind in the chase. However, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra fought hard with a gritty 46-run stand, but the former departed after a well-made 28. Phillips went on to register a valiant half-century but got no real support from the other end and the total ultimately proved to be too much for the Kiwis. The only positive for them is that they managed to avoid the biggest defeat in this format for them.

A comprehensive victory for England! They win by a whopping 181 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series. It was another brilliant all-round show from them whether it was the big-daddy hundred from Ben Stokes or the superb spell from Chris Woakes at the top. They outplayed the Kiwis in all departments and New Zealand managed to score five runs more than Stokes which says it all. The visitors though, still have a chance to level the series, but will need a much-improved performance in the next game.

OUT! STUMPED! Amazing keeping by Jos Buttler behind the stumps. Liam Livingstone bowls this full and turning away from off. Benjamin Lister looks to play it on the front foot but is beaten by the turn. Jos Buttler collected the ball and dislodged the bails when Benjamin Lister's foot was in the air to bowl out New Zealand. A comprehensive victory for the hosts.

In the air...safe. Liam Livingstone bowls it short and outside off. Lockie Ferguson lofts it wide of point but out of his reach. The batters take one.

Shorter and on leg. Lockie Ferguson punches it back to the bowler.

Fullish on leg. Lockie Ferguson comes down and drives it to the left of Liam Livingstone.

Full again and over off. Lockie Ferguson rocks back and punches it to cover.

Full and on middle. Lockie Ferguson drives it back to the bowler.

In the air....safe. Reece Topley bowls this short and outside off. Benjamin Lister slices it over mid off and it lands safe as the batters run two.

On length and over leg. Benjamin Lister edges the ball onto his pads for another dot ball.