Tickner makes sparkling international return to trigger England collapse for 175

Innings England 175 (Overton 42, Brook 34, Tickner 4-34, Smith 2-27) vs New Zealand

Blair Tickner enjoyed a joyful return to international cricket, taking 4 for 34 as New Zealand dismissed England for 176 in the second ODI at Seddon Park.

Tickner's career-best figures in the format have come after a two-year absence from the side. His presence in the game was squarely on Matt Henry's left calf strain, after he had initially been drafted into the squad to replace Kyle Jamieson. The time between his 34th and this 35th international cap has been emotional, after his wife, Sarah, was diagnosed with leukaemia. Though still undergoing chemotherapy, she is now in remission. Each day is a blessing, and Wednesday was another for the 32-year-old.

For England, it was anything but. For the second time in five days, they have been inserted and removed with minimal fuss, with the first ODI's 223 in Mount Maunganui trumped by a far-less accomplished display in Hamilton. At the halfway stage, they are staring down the barrel of an insurmountable 2-0 scoreline in this three-match series.

This time, Harry Brook could not save them. Having lost the toss, he found himself at the crease at the end of the 12th over with England 51 for 3, eventually falling for 34, 101 shy of what he mustered in the series opener. Jamie Overton, the only other batter to pass six then, was the standout here today, muscling 42 off 28.

Both captains were keen to bowl first, but it was Mitchell Santner who had the honour after winning a toss delayed by an early shower. And though his seamers were not able to make as spectacular use of early conditions as they did when England lost their first four wickets for just 10 on Saturday, a similar haul for not many was still forthcoming.

Jacob Duffy, taking the new ball, dismissed Ben Duckett for 1 at the start of his second over. Jamie Smith's attempt at a third leg-side boundary saw him sky Zak Foulkes into the hands of Kane Williamson at backward point.

Joe Root, having ticked over to 25, then found himself tangled in the new leg-side-wide laws. Tickner benefitted from greater leeway with a couple of deliveries beyond the pads, much to Root's annoyance. A third brought a cursory whiff of the bat for an inside edge taken by wicketkeeper Tom Latham sprawling gleefully to his left.

The most inexplicable dismissal was that of Jacob Bethell, emerging from a drinks break to hook Nathan Smith to Foulkes at deep square for 18. His previous delivery, the over before, had seen a similar shot fall just short of Will Young charging in from the boundary.

It was already looking like Brook or bust before Jos Buttler was trapped in front for Smith's second. A powerful four off Smith, followed by a lapped six off Santner, hinted at a repeat of Brook's audacious fourth century in New Zealand.

That Santner had dropped Brook on nought - a spectacular effort in vain at mid-off - looked like it could come back to bite the hosts. But it was Santner who would pocket his opposite number, courtesy of a successful acrobatic effort from Young at backward point, pouching an aerial cut.

Once Sam Curran was undone by a beauty from Michael Bracewell - fizzed in from around the wicket, gripping and turning sharply past the edge and clipping the left-hander's off bail - Overton took the initiative. The allrounder greeted Tickner's return to the attack with a smeared four through midwicket and then an advancing clump over long-on.

Tickner had the final say, forcing Overton into a flat-bat swipe that nestled into Santner's hands at mid-off, an over after Brydon Carse had pulled the seamer flat to Daryl Mitchell at deep square. And when Adil Rashid flayed to square leg, England were done and dusted with 14 overs of their innings still to go. It was the tenth time they have been bowled out in their last 16 goes at setting a total. And now they will hope Luke Wood's replacement Jofra Archer, playing his first match of the tour and first ODI against New Zealand since the 2019 World Cup final, makes getting to 176 tough for the hosts.