England Crumble as New Zealand Dominate Second ODI in Hamilton
It was another tough night for England in Hamilton, as their batting lineup once again collapsed under the pressure of New Zealand’s sharp bowling in the second One Day International. What started as a hopeful bounce-back opportunity turned into a humbling display, with England being bowled out for just 175 runs — a total that looked well below par from the moment it was posted.
The tone of the innings was set early when Ben Duckett fell for just one run, edging a lovely delivery from Jacob Duffy behind the stumps. Jamie Smith and Joe Root tried to steady things, but New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Blair Tickner and Nathan Smith, maintained relentless pressure. Root’s brief resistance of 25 ended with a faint edge down the leg side, and from there, England’s innings quickly unraveled.
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Harry Brook, captaining the side and carrying over his sparkling form from the first ODI, once again looked in control. His 34 was a mix of class and aggression — including a few crisp boundaries and a signature slog sweep for six — but he found no real support at the other end. Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and the lower order came and went without much resistance, each falling to smart bowling and tight fielding.
Blair Tickner, playing his first international in over two years, was the star of the show for New Zealand. Returning to the side after personal challenges and time away from the game, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His four wickets, including key breakthroughs in the middle and lower order, completely crushed England’s hopes of posting anything competitive. New Zealand shared the wickets beautifully — Tickner was backed up by Santner, Bracewell, and Smith — and every chance that came their way was taken cleanly.
When it was New Zealand’s turn to bat, Jofra Archer gave England a brief moment of joy with a fiery opening spell, trapping Will Young lbw for a duck. But even that early breakthrough couldn’t hide the sense that England were always playing catch-up. With Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra at the crease, the chase looked steady and assured from the very start.
For England, this match will be remembered for yet another top-order failure and a lack of adaptability on pitches offering a bit of movement. Their aggressive approach, so often their trademark, is quickly turning into their undoing on this tour.
For New Zealand, though, it was a performance full of control, discipline, and quiet confidence. They now lead the series and look well set to seal it in style. And for Blair Tickner, this match wasn’t just about wickets — it was a heartfelt return, proof that perseverance and patience can bring you right back into the spotlight.
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