Stokes attempts to field the ball as century maker Taylor weighs up a run on a chastening day for England ROSS SETFORD/REUTERSIn the 38th over of England’s innings, the idea of New Zealand easing to their target with five wickets and three balls to spare, and levelling the series in the process, seemed the stuff of fantasy. Jonny Bairstow had his century, Joe Root was approaching his, and their second-wicket stand was worth 190. The score was 267 for one and, with time on their side and a formidable middle order itching to take on short boundaries and a flat pitch, 380, perhaps even 400, looked on. England’s one-day international juggernaut was rolling on to a ninth series win in ten, and a sixth on the spin. But, through a combination of their own gruesome collapse, losing eight wickets for 46, and a scintillating innings from…

Source: The Times March 07, 2018 07:37 UTC