Nelson Nightmare: New Zealand Bounce Back with 5-Wicket Thrashing of England in 2nd ODI

New Zealand roared back from their Auckland humiliation with a clinical five-wicket victory over England in the 2nd ODI at Saxton Oval, Nelson, on January 10, taking the three-match series to a decider in Christchurch. Chasing a modest 176, the Black Caps cruised home in 33.1 overs for 177 for 5, led by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 56 off 62 and Rachin Ravindra’s 54 off 68, their 89-run third-wicket stand snuffing out any early jitters. England, batting first after Jos Buttler won the toss, were dismantled for 175 all out in 36 overs by Blair Tickner’s career-best 4 for 34 and Michael Bracewell’s 2 for 27. The win—New Zealand’s first ODI triumph over England since 2023—levels the series at 1-1 and hands stand-in skipper Tom Latham a vital boost, while England, rocked by a top-order collapse, face a must-win finale to salvage the tour.

Saxton Oval’s compact boundaries and true bounce under a crisp Tasman Bay sun produced a low-scoring arm-wrestle, with England’s seamers extracting early movement but New Zealand’s all-round depth proving decisive. Buttler’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as Tickner’s return to the international fold sparked a procession, while the Black Caps’ chase, despite losing openers cheaply, showcased resilience. For Buttler, the defeat—England’s heaviest by runs in New Zealand since 2018—exposes vulnerabilities without rested stars like Jofra Archer (injured) and Saqib Mahmood (rested). As Mitchell punched the winning four off Brydon Carse amid joyous hugs, the series decider in Christchurch on January 13 looms as a blockbuster.

Latham’s XI blended seam and spin: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, and William O’Rourke. Tickner’s recall over Lockie Ferguson added express pace, Bracewell’s off-spin the X-factor on a gripping track. England, under Buttler, fielded: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Brydon Carse, Reece Topley, Adil Rashid, and Jamie Overton. Overton’s inclusion over Gus Atkinson brought bounce, Rashid’s leg-spin the foil to New Zealand’s sweepers.

Umpires Chris Brown and Shaun Haig called play at 2:00 PM local time, Salt and Duckett facing Henry’s probing lines amid a building Nelson hum.

England’s innings imploded spectacularly, the top order undone by New Zealand’s seam movement on a pitch that offered treacherous bounce under overcast skies. Salt flicked Henry through midwicket for four in the second over, his aggression a false dawn, but Tickner struck in the fourth: his inswinger trapped Duckett lbw for 3 off 6 — 3 for 1. Root joined Salt, but O’Rourke’s lifter hurried Root—edging to Latham for 8 off 12 — 11 for 2. Brook arrived, nurgling Henry through point, but Henry’s cutter bowled Salt for 18 off 28 — 29 for 3 in the 9th. Livingstone and Brook rebuilt gingerly: Livingstone’s swept four off Bracewell, Brook’s driven boundary off Santner. Their 22-run stand off 32 balls crawled to 51 for 3, but Bracewell’s off-break deceived Livingstone—lbw for 12 off 22 — 51 for 4 in the 14th.

Buttler strode in, his skipper’s poise fleeting: he glanced O’Rourke fine for four, but Tickner’s yorker cleaned up Buttler for 22 off 18 — 63 for 5 in the 18th. Curran and Brook fought: Curran’s reverse-sweep off Santner for four, Brook reaching 30 off 52. Their 32-run stand off 42 balls pushed to 95 for 5, but Tickner returned: yorking Curran for 42 off 58 — 95 for 6 in the 26th. Carse scratched 0 before bowled by Bracewell — 95 for 7. Overton (42 off 34) and Rashid (0 off 2) added 80 in 58 balls, Overton’s pulled six off Henry, but Santner’s arm ball trapped Overton lbw — 175 all out in 36 overs. New Zealand’s seamers ruled: Tickner 4-34, Bracewell 2-27, Henry 2-52. Buttler: “175 too few; Tickner’s spell broke us.”

New Zealand’s chase was a composed counterpunch, the openers laying a foundation before Mitchell’s steel took over on a pitch that eased under dew. Young pulled Mahmood for four in the first over, his intent measured. Young and Ravindra amassed 45 for 0 in 8 overs: Ravindra’s cover drive off Topley for four, Young’s nurdled single off Rashid. But Topley bowled Young for 18 off 22 — 45 for 1 in the 9th. Conway joined Ravindra, their 28-run stand off 32 balls steady, but Rashid’s googly deceived Conway—lbw for 12 off 18 — 73 for 2 in the 15th. Latham scratched 8 before caught behind off Overton — 81 for 3 in the 17th.

Ravindra and Mitchell steadied: Ravindra reaching 54 off 68 (5×4, 1×6) with a flicked four off Carse, Mitchell’s driven boundary off Rashid. Their 89-run stand off 92 balls pushed to 170 for 3 by the 32nd, but Carse trapped Ravindra lbw for 54 — 170 for 4. Phillips (0 off 2) run-out — 170 for 5. Mitchell and Bracewell eked out 7, Bracewell caught at midwicket off Rashid for 0 — 177 for 5 in 33.1, Mitchell’s winning four off Carse. New Zealand’s chase at 5.35 run rate. England’s attack leaked: Rashid 2-48, Topley 1-52. Latham: “Daryl’s 56* was rock-solid; we adapted well.”

Post-Match Reflections & Series Stakes

• Player of the Match: Blair Tickner (4-34 & 0-28)
• Series Level: 1-1; 3rd ODI Christchurch, January 13 (D/N).
• Stats Spotlight: Mitchell’s 56* his 12th ODI fifty; Tickner’s 4-34 his international best. Duckett’s 64 his 10th ODI fifty.
• Milestone: NZ’s first ODI win vs ENG since 2023; ENG’s 2nd loss in 3 chases under 200.

Latham: “Tickner’s return was massive; series alive now.”

Upcoming ODI

• 3rd ODI: Hagley Oval, Christchurch, January 13 (D/N) — Decider.

England eye series salvage; New Zealand plot upset. The white-ball tour heats up.