Preview

England dream to draw

A preview of the fifth and final one-dayer between New Zealand and England in Christchurch

Cricinfo staff


Luke Wright conceded just six runs in a superb final over in Napier as England tied with New Zealand © Getty Images
 

Match facts

Saturday February 23, 2008
Start time: 1400 (local), 0100 (GMT)
First session 1400-1730 (local) 0100-0430 (GMT)
Interval 1730-1815 (local) 0430-0515 (GMT)
Second session 1815-2145 (local) 0515-0845 (local)

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England dream to draw

After a memorable tense tie in Napier, England and New Zealand meet for the final one-dayer in Christchurch. England can only salvage a draw from the series, but that in itself would represent a remarkable turnaround in fortunes after New Zealand humiliated them in the first two matches. With their batsmen compiling 340 for 6 in Napier - not to mention possessing the series' best bowler, Ryan Sidebottom - there is a sense England are beginning to hit their straps. Can they complete the turnaround with a rousing win ahead of the Tests?

Form

England's inability to hit one-day hundreds continues to cause concern, but four of their top five made fifty in the last ODI. Paul Collingwood's scorching 54 from 30 balls ensured a competitive total, but all eyes are on Kevin Pietersen who began to show signs of his top form with a 47-ball 50. Meanwhile for New Zealand, Brendon McCullum is the series' leading run scorer while Jamie How marched into form with a sublime 139 in the last ODI.

Quotes

"It was depressing, but Saturday's another game. We can either draw the series or win the series. The silver lining is we can't lose the series but if you're going to be positive it's about winning it."
Jacob Oram

"If we drew this series it would be right up there," he insisted. "If you'd have given me the opportunity to draw the series after those first couple of games I would have taken it."
Paul Collingwood

Team news

New Zealand could make a couple of changes with Daniel Flynn, the 22-year-old batsman, and offspinner Jeetan Patel vying for places. England have to decide whether to gamble on their part-time bowlers to produce 20 overs or recall Graeme Swann in place of Dimitri Mascarenhas.


Scattered showers and humid conditions are forecast
 

Pitch & conditions

The drop-in wicket at Christchurch provided plenty of runs in the second Twenty20 two weeks ago, and more should be on offer for the final one-dayer. Chris Lewis, the ground's manager, said it should be good but warned it may not have the zip and bounce which Napier provided owing to a dreadfully wet February. Encouragingly for the batsman, several teams have posted scores in excess of 300 in recent years.

Stats & trivia

  • England lost their last ODI in Christchurch in 2002, with Daniel Vettori restricting them to 196 with 3 for 17
  • New Zealand haven't lost in Christchurch for three years, when Australia bowled them out for 208 chasing 314
  • Stuart Broad is the leading wicket taker in the series with 8 wickets, while Brendon McCullum tops the batting averages on 184 runs

Last five matches

England: LLLWT
New Zealand: WWWLT

Teams

New Zealand (probable) Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin

England (probable) Alastair Cook, Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah, Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson