England bowled out for 175 after another top-order failure in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — England’s top order again failed to fire as New Zealand bowled out the tourists for 175 in 36 overs Wednesday in the second one-day cricket international at Seddon Park.

New Zealand won an advantageous toss and chose to bowl on a pitch which had been covered in recent days and produced variable bounce, some slow seam movement and even turn later in the innings.

England slumped to 56-6 in the first ODI on Saturday before captain Harry Brook’s 135 lifted them to 233. New Zealand won that match by four wickets.

On Wednesday, England was 105-6 when Brook was dismissed by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner for 34.

Of the rest of the England top order, Jamie Smith made 13, Ben Duckett 1, Joe Root 25, Jacob Bethell 18 and Jos Buttler 9.

Jamie Overton, who batted at No. 8, top-scored with 42 from 28 ball. Overton made 46 in a partnership of 87 with Brook in the first match.

Blair Tickner, who was recalled to play his first ODI for New Zealand since 2023, was the top wicket-taker for the hosts with 4-34 from eight overs.

Duckett was the first batter to fall in the third over, caught by wicketkeeper Tom Latham from the bowling of Jacob Duffy.

Root hit two fours in the same over and Smith hit a six of Zak Foulkes in the next as the England batters felt compelled to keep up a high scoring rate.

Smith was caught by Kane Williamson off Foukes in the sixth over and England was 49-2 at the end of the first power play.

Root was caught down the leg side by Latham off Tickner in the 12th over. The two previous balls from Tickner passed outside leg stump but were not called wides because Root had stepped inside the line and both balls were inside the wide line. Root attempted to flick the third ball on a similar line but only managed a fine touch to Latham.

Bethell was caught by Foulkes from the bowling of Nathan Smith from the first ball after the drinks break and Buttler was trapped lbw by Smith when England was 81-5.

Brook fell to an excellent diving catch by Will Young off a ball from Santner which gripped and turned away from the batter. Curran was beaten by a ball from Bracewell which also turned and hit the top of off stump.

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