ENG vs NZ: Top 5 performers from ODI series
The four-match one-day international series between England and New Zealand is done and dusted and it’s the home side England who have emerged victorious 3-1. After suffering a defeat in the opening fixture, Jos Buttler and his men roared back to win three on the bounce and clinch the series in style. With the World Cup looming, it was crucial for all players to find their best form and a few did it throughout the four games as they feature in this article.
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 performers from the England-New Zealand ODI series:
Dawid Malan
Dawid Malan was the standout performer in all these games courtesy of his exceptional performances. The left-hander batter grabbed the Player of the Series award for smashing the most runs. The 36-year-old hit 277 runs in just three innings at an average of 92.33 with one century and two half-centuries. Malan also won the Player of the Match award in the fourth and final decider fixture at the Lord’s.
2.Ben Stokes
Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes ended the series as the second-highest run-getter behind Malan. The left-hander struck 235 runs in three innings at an average of 78.33 with one hundred and one half-centuries. With the series level at 1-1, Stokes registered the highest-ever individual ODI score of 182 for England in the third match at The Oval where his side won the contest and took a 2-1 lead. Notably, he also won the Player of the Match award for his outstanding brutal knock that came in 124 deliveries.
3.Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone, the destructive right-handed player, racked up 186 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 62.00 and a deadly strike-rate of 110.05. Livingstone also managed to pick up four wickets in three innings.
With England struggling at 103/6 in the second game, he registered his career-best knock of 95 as his side sealed the encounter to level the series 1-1. Livingstone also won the Player of the Match award for his vital knock.
4.Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell amassed the most runs for New Zealand in the series. The right-handed player scored 196 runs in four innings at an average of 65.33 with the help of one century and one fifty. He also snared two scalps in as many innings. The 32-year-old smashed an unbeaten 118 off just 91 which included seven fours and as many maximums in the opening game in Cardiff where the visitors won by an eight-wicket margin.
5.Trent Boult
Having made his return in the ODI format after a year, New Zealand ace seamer Trent Boult finished the series as the highest wicket-taker. Keeping the World Cup in mind, the Kiwis managed the workload of the pacer as he played only two matches out of the four. Still, he ended up being the leading wicket-taker with eight scalps to his name at an average of just 11.00 and a solid economy rate of 5.44.
