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New Zealand initiated the four-game ODI series with a resounding eight-wicket triumph over England at Cardiff on Friday night, seizing a 1-0 lead in the series. This marked their first encounter in the 50-over format since the thrilling 2019 ODI World Cup final.
Skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to field first. England’s opening pair, Harry Brook and Dawid Malan, laid a solid foundation by accumulating 80 runs. Malan registered his fourth ODI fifty, but the breakthrough occurred for Blackcaps when Rachin Ravindra dismissed him after his 54-run contribution. Lockie Ferguson then dismissed Brook for 25, and Ravindra struck again, sending Joe Root back to the pavilion with just 6 runs. Following the dismissals of Brook and Root, Ben Stokes (52) and Jos Buttler (72) forged an impressive 88-run partnership. Later, Liam Livingstone joined Buttler in a dynamic 77-run stand, with Livingstone taking on the bowlers aggressively, delivering powerful hits to all parts of the ground.
Also READ: Twitter Reactions: Centuries from Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell lead New Zealand to a comfortable win in the first ODI against England
Liam Livingstone’s explosive assault on Kyle Jamieson
In the crucial 43rd over, Livingstone launched a sensational onslaught against Kyle Jamieson, striking three consecutive sixes that left the crowd in awe.
England’s scoreboard displayed 218/4 after 42 overs when Jamieson took the ball. On the first delivery, Livingstone opted for a single, allowing Buttler to take strike. Jamieson’s next delivery veered wide, but Buttler efficiently stole a single on the following legitimate delivery, setting the stage for Livingstone’s fireworks.
In response to Jamieson’s slower delivery, the 30-year-old hammered a powerful six over backward square leg. Jamieson then reverted to pace for his subsequent delivery, but Livingstone still managed to secure another boundary. Taking a firm stance, Livingstone struck the ball powerfully down the ground, sending it soaring over Jamieson’s head for a colossal six.
The Kiwi attempted to alter his length with the next delivery, opting for a short-pitched delivery to Livingstone, but it didn’t yield a different outcome. Livingstone adeptly judged the length and dispatched the ball into the leg side. This time, the ball sailed over deep mid-wicket, easily clearing the boundary and vanishing into the crowd.
Here’s the video:
6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣
Three maximums in a row for Livi! 😱#EnglandCricket | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/GG2FDkVTRC
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 8, 2023
Although Livingstone’s explosive onslaught ended after achieving a fifty from just 39 balls, as he mistimed a delivery from Tim Southee, giving Daryl Mitchell an easy catch, his aggressive innings made a significant contribution to England’s final score of 291/6.
New Zealand’s comfortable chase and upcoming ODI World cup clash
New Zealand efficiently pursued the target of 292, accomplishing it with 26 balls to spare at Sophia Gardens. Devon Conway (111) and Daryl Mitchell (118) both achieved their fourth ODI centuries, solidifying New Zealand’s victory. Looking ahead, after the conclusion of this series, both teams are set to meet again in the opening match of the ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled for October 5 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
