Ross Taylor fashions Kiwi win

Taylor struck a career-high unbeaten 181 at University Oval, building into his innings before shaking off a thigh issue to thump boundary after boundary. He hit 17 fours and six sixes in just 147 deliveries, appearing near-untouchable as the Kiwis chased down England’s 335-9 total with three balls left. 

The 33-year-old came to the crease in the third over after openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro both fell for ducks, the latter a golden duck. At 2-2, the Kiwis were in dire straits, but Taylor and Kane Williamson steadied the ship with an 84-run stand before the former came into his own. 

By the end of the knock, he could barely run between wickets. Tom Latham shrugged off some recent poor form to anchor for veteran Taylor, hitting a clinical 71 from 67, while Williamson had earlier struck 45. 

But the day belonged to Taylor, as he and Henry Nicholls successfully struck the three runs it needed from the final over to triumph.Nicholls won the match with a six. Batting first, England had roared out to 267-1 with 13 overs to spare.