England Survive Santner Scare to Win by 3 Wickets, Seal Series 2-0
England clinched the three-match ODI series with a thrilling three-wicket victory over New Zealand in the 2nd ODI at Saxton Oval, Nelson, on January 10, 2026, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Chasing 297 on a flat, small-ground belter, England were cruising at 212 for 2 thanks to Ben Duckett’s 112 and Harry Brook’s 88, but a sensational Mitchell Santner hat-trick (3-12 in 8 balls) triggered a collapse of 5 for 23, reducing them to 235 for 7. With 62 needed off 48 balls and nerves jangling, Jos Buttler (42 off 38) and Sam Curran (28 off 22) added an ice-cool unbroken 64-run stand to reach 300 for 7 with 9 balls to spare. New Zealand had earlier posted 296 for 8, powered by Rachin Ravindra’s 124 and Glenn Phillips’ blistering 68 off 42, but couldn’t defend it despite Santner’s heroics.
Saxton Oval’s tiny dimensions (straight boundaries under 65 m) and lightning outfield produced a run-fest under bright sunshine, with 592 runs scored in 88.3 overs. Jos Buttler’s decision to bowl first looked questionable when Ravindra and Phillips went berserk, but England’s middle-order depth and Buttler’s calm head under pressure proved decisive. For Tom Latham, the defeat — despite the fightback — means his side must win in Christchurch to avoid a whitewash in-coming whitewash.
New Zealand XI (same as 1st ODI) Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, William O’Rourke
England XI (1 change) Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid (Reece Topley replaced by Carse)
New Zealand – 296-8 (50 overs) Ravindra and Conway gave a solid start — 92 for 1 in 15 overs. Conway fell for 48, but Ravindra reached a classy 124 off 118 (12×4, 3×6). Phillips detonated 68 off 42 (6×4, 5×6), adding 112 in 11 overs with Ravindra. Late wickets — Santner 18, Bracewell 12 — restricted the surge. Archer 2-62, Mahmood 2-58, Rashid 2-48
England – 300-7 (48.3 overs) Salt (28) and Duckett added 68 before Salt skied Henry. Duckett and Brook took complete control — 156-run 2nd-wicket partnership. Duckett’s 112 (108 balls, 14×4) ended lbw to Santner; Brook’s 88 (72 balls, 10×4, 2×6) terminated by a Santner googly — 212 for 2 became 235 for 7 in 28 balls as Santner took a hat-trick (Livingstone, Curran lbw review failed, Carse bowled first ball). Buttler and Curran then played the perfect calming hand — 64* together, finishing with a pulled six and a cover drive. Santner 4-52, Henry 2-58
Key Moments
- 112-run Phillips-Ravindra blitz in 66 balls
- Santner’s hat-trick — first by a Kiwi in ODIs vs England
- Buttler’s ice-cool 42* under huge pressure
- 9 sixes each side — highest combined in an England-NZ ODI
Player of the Match: Ben Duckett (112 & 2 catches)
Jos Buttler: “We made it hard for ourselves, but Sam and I pride ourselves on finishing chases. Great character shown.”
Tom Latham: “Santner’s spell gave us a real chance, but we were 20-30 short with the bat.”
Series: England 2–0 New Zealand (England win series) 3rd ODI (dead rubber): Hagley Oval, Christchurch — January 13
England one step from a whitewash; New Zealand desperate for consolation and pride.
