Ronchi takes it on the chin
Plays of the day from Chester-le-Street where England won the series in dramatic style
Alan Gardner
20-Jun-2015
The hang time
With England's target reduced to 192 from 26 overs, Mitchell Santner was asked to open the bowling. His second ball was slightly short and Alex Hales rocked back to plaster it through square leg; though the shot was in the air, it looked set to clear the man. That man was Kane Williamson, not the tallest, but he produced a leap reminiscent of Durham favourite Paul Collingwood to grab the ball one-handed above his head.
With England's target reduced to 192 from 26 overs, Mitchell Santner was asked to open the bowling. His second ball was slightly short and Alex Hales rocked back to plaster it through square leg; though the shot was in the air, it looked set to clear the man. That man was Kane Williamson, not the tallest, but he produced a leap reminiscent of Durham favourite Paul Collingwood to grab the ball one-handed above his head.
The chin music
Batsmen getting peppered is one thing but the wicketkeeper taking a blow off a spinner quite another. When Santner lured Joe Root out of his crease, the ball turned and bounced so much that it hit Luke Ronchi on the chin. Extra credit, then, for snatching the ball on the way down and breaking the stumps before Root could regain his ground. Only afterwards did Ronchi stop to wipe away the blood that was beginning to ooze out.
Batsmen getting peppered is one thing but the wicketkeeper taking a blow off a spinner quite another. When Santner lured Joe Root out of his crease, the ball turned and bounced so much that it hit Luke Ronchi on the chin. Extra credit, then, for snatching the ball on the way down and breaking the stumps before Root could regain his ground. Only afterwards did Ronchi stop to wipe away the blood that was beginning to ooze out.
The introduction
Andrew Mathieson was expecting to play for Sidmouth in the Devon Premier League this weekend. Instead, he made his international debut for New Zealand. As if that wasn't enough, he then took a wicket with his first ball - a short wide delivery that Jason Roy top-edged straight up in the air - making Mathieson the second New Zealand bowler, after Shane Thomson, to do so in ODIs. Incidentally, Sidmouth's fixture was against North Devon, who were missing Craig Overton due to his call up by England.
Andrew Mathieson was expecting to play for Sidmouth in the Devon Premier League this weekend. Instead, he made his international debut for New Zealand. As if that wasn't enough, he then took a wicket with his first ball - a short wide delivery that Jason Roy top-edged straight up in the air - making Mathieson the second New Zealand bowler, after Shane Thomson, to do so in ODIs. Incidentally, Sidmouth's fixture was against North Devon, who were missing Craig Overton due to his call up by England.
The costly drop
Santner's three wickets had put New Zealand on course for victory but he lacked composure at a pivotal moment in the chase. Jonny Bairstow was battling to keep England alive, having made his maiden ODI fifty, but it all looked to be over when he ramped Matt Henry towards third man. Santner had plenty of time to steady himself under the catch but made a mess of the take, desperately trying once, twice, three times to gather as he slumped to the ground and the ball rolled away.
Santner's three wickets had put New Zealand on course for victory but he lacked composure at a pivotal moment in the chase. Jonny Bairstow was battling to keep England alive, having made his maiden ODI fifty, but it all looked to be over when he ramped Matt Henry towards third man. Santner had plenty of time to steady himself under the catch but made a mess of the take, desperately trying once, twice, three times to gather as he slumped to the ground and the ball rolled away.
The valiant effort
Adil Rashid has caused Ross Taylor a few problems this series, despite the New Zealander's prolific form. With Root stationed at short extra cover, in Taylor's eyeline, the batsman tried to do what he does best: hit his way out of difficulty. An uppish drive went quickly to Root's right but although he anticipated it well he could only palm a tough chance away one-handed.
Adil Rashid has caused Ross Taylor a few problems this series, despite the New Zealander's prolific form. With Root stationed at short extra cover, in Taylor's eyeline, the batsman tried to do what he does best: hit his way out of difficulty. An uppish drive went quickly to Root's right but although he anticipated it well he could only palm a tough chance away one-handed.
The uppercut and thrust
A slightly more forgiving surface for the bowlers put a check on the rampant scoring, with New Zealand becoming the first side not to pass 300 batting first. Martin Guptill adapted well during his half-century, the highlight of which was an insouciant uppercut straight over the wicketkeeper off Mark Wood, to which the Durham bowler could only say "shot!" Wood responded by searing one past Guptill's outside edge at 90mph; "bowled" may well have been the comment in return.
A slightly more forgiving surface for the bowlers put a check on the rampant scoring, with New Zealand becoming the first side not to pass 300 batting first. Martin Guptill adapted well during his half-century, the highlight of which was an insouciant uppercut straight over the wicketkeeper off Mark Wood, to which the Durham bowler could only say "shot!" Wood responded by searing one past Guptill's outside edge at 90mph; "bowled" may well have been the comment in return.
The back of the bat
Grant Elliott struggled against Steven Finn in the Powerplay at Trent Bridge, despite going on to make 55 off 52, and he found himself in a similar position here. One unsuccessful attempt to get Finn away nearly resulted in an unusual dismissal - a bouncer was on Elliott quickly and he missed with a pull, the ball thudding into his shoulder and then hitting the back of his bat as it swung round. The rebound sent the ball in the direction of Jonny Bairstow but it landed a few yards short.
Grant Elliott struggled against Steven Finn in the Powerplay at Trent Bridge, despite going on to make 55 off 52, and he found himself in a similar position here. One unsuccessful attempt to get Finn away nearly resulted in an unusual dismissal - a bouncer was on Elliott quickly and he missed with a pull, the ball thudding into his shoulder and then hitting the back of his bat as it swung round. The rebound sent the ball in the direction of Jonny Bairstow but it landed a few yards short.
Alan Gardner is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick