
Chester-le-Street: Jonny Bairstow smashed an unbeaten 60-ball 83 as England wrapped up the ODI series versus New Zealand 3-2 by winning the fifth and final one-dayer, here, at the Riverside Ground, on Saturday.
Chasing a revised target of 192 in 26 overs, thanks to rain delay after New Zealand finished at 283 for nine, England reached home with three wickets and an over to spare. Adil Rashid remained not out on 12, hitting two priceless boundaries.
It looked as good as over for England when they were reduced to 45 for five in the ninth over with their three main batsmen - captain Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes - back in the hut. Young left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner put New Zealand right on top taking three wickets.
Coming in place of Jos Buttler, Bairstow then stitched a superb 80-run stand with Sam Billings (41) that brought England back into the game. Momentum again shifted towards New Zealand's direction with the dismissals of Billings and David Wiley.
But Bairstow, thereafter, with able assistance from Adil, showed wonderful composure to take England home.
Earlier, late blows from Ben Wheeler (39 not out) gave a little bit of lift to the New Zealand innings as the visitors were able to post a competitive score.
Put in to bat, New Zealand lost their captain Brendon McCullum in the very first over. McCullum couldn't make no progress after opening his account with a six as Steven Finn hit back almost immediately by castling the former.
However, Martin Guptill (67) and the in-form man Kane Williamson (50) batted with authority and laid the platform for an ideal finish.
But just as the duo were beginning to look dangerous, Stokes (three for 52) struck for England by removing both. On the other hand, Adil (two for 45) deceived the rival batsmen with his intelligent piece of leg-spin bowling as Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott had to start with a repair work.
Even though both batsmen were in good touch, England bowlers still were able to have their way as at one stage, it looked as if the Black Caps may struggle to reach even 250.