A rejuvenated England head into today’s winner-takes-all fifth one-day international against New Zealand knowing that even a defeat would do little to spoil the buzz surrounding English limited-overs cricket.
A pulsating ODI series is tied 2-2 and Chester-le-Street in Durham will play host to the decider where an England side enthused with aggressive intent will come up against this year’s World Cup runners-up New Zealand.
England were humiliated at the World Cup where they went out in the group stage, but, under the guidance of caretaker coach Paul Farbrace and on-field leadership of Eoin Morgan, they are barely recognisable from their former cautious selves.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
Poll: England or New Zealand — who will win the fifth ODI and clinch the series?
Sri Lanka take control as Pakistan suffer top-order collapse on Day 3 in Galle
Memorable ODI debut for Mustafizur Rahman as Bangladesh lord it over India
Trevor Bayliss will take charge of England ahead of the Ashes series and, on current form, the only notes in the Australian’s coaching manual are likely to be “more of the same”.
England have bludgeoned their way to totals of 408, 365, 302 and 350 against a New Zealand side that have played their part in an explosive series under captain Brendon McCullum.
Chasing a target of 350 for victory to square the series on Wednesday, Morgan’s brutal 113 off 82 balls and a delightful 106 not out from Joe Root completed England’s highest successful run chase in one-day internationals with six overs to spare.
“I think the style is more important (than the victory),” Morgan said. “We’re trying to change something that probably doesn’t come as naturally as other nations, and it’s the way we play and it’s very encouraging at the moment.
“We’ve played very consistently with the bat but it’s no good trying to change something if you’re not doing it in a winning side so that’s a massive bonus.
“Going into Durham’s game, there’s a lot on the line. We’ll be firmly focused on the process playing against a champion side like New Zealand.”
Batsmen Morgan, Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have all flourished under England’s new licence-to-thrill mantra, while Mark Wood and Steven Finn have looked steady with the ball despite the free-scoring nature of matches.
England’s resurgence has given former captain Ian Botham renewed optimism ahead of the Ashes that starts on July 8.
“The cricket was electrifying,” Botham told Sky Sports.
“I hope the Australians were watching.
“There’s a buzz about this England team and the way they are playing – so much so that everyone is talking about Saturday’s game now.”
Bairstow back in England squad
Jonny Bairstow was called into England’s squad ahead of Saturday’s deciding ODI against New Zealand in Durham after wicket-keeper Jos Buttler suffered a hand injury in training on Friday.
Lancashire gloveman Buttler split the webbing between thumb and forefinger on his left hand as England trained on the outfield at Chester-le-Street.
England already had Kent wicket-keeper Sam Billings, who has played the first four matches of this series as a batsman only, in their squad.
But they opted to bring in extra keeping cover in Yorkshire’s Bairstow, with the five-match series all square at 2-2.
“Jonny Bairstow has been added to the squad as cover for Jos Buttler who has split the skin at the base of his thumb on his left hand,” said England Cricket on Twitter.
England, however, are not expected to announce a decision on whether Buttler is in their side until Saturday’s toss.
The 24-year-old Buttler holds the record for England’s two fastest one-day hundreds, with his 66-ball effort in the team’s 210-run win in the series opener at Edgbaston second only to his 61-ball century against Sri Lanka at Lord’s last year.
“Jos Buttler will be assessed in the morning,” England Cricket said.
Buttler is also England’s first-choice Test keeper and his injury comes with the Ashes opener against Australia in Cardiff on July 8 just weeks away.
Bairstow, 25, won the last of his eight ODI caps against Ireland in a rain-abandoned fixture in Dublin last month.
The son of the late former Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper David Bairstow, Jonny has also made 14 Test and 18 Twenty20 international appearances.
But Buttler has overtaken him when it comes to England selection in all formats.
However, Bairstow has been in fine form for his county champions Yorkshire so far this season scoring two hundreds in six first-class County Championship innings and averaging over 80 with the bat.
And he made it clear on Tuesday that he had not given up on playing international cricket again.
“I think the way England are playing their cricket now suits my game,” Bairstow said.
“In the future I believe I definitely have a role to play, whether it be next week, next month or whenever and that’s an exciting position to be in.”
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
