Martin Guptill's 189 not out, the highest score by a New Zealander in one-day internationals, led the visitors to 359 for three in the second match of the series. It is their highest score against England in an ODI and sixth highest against all opposition.
England were dismissed for 273, handing New Zealand a third consecutive away series ODI victory against the world No.3. The result, combined with the win away against South Africa in January, has enhanced their Champions Trophy campaign credibility. England had not lost an ODI series at home since September 2009 against Australia.
Guptill was the centrepiece, eclipsing Lou Vincent's 172 against Zimbabwe in 2005 as the highest ODI innings by a New Zealander. He has enjoyed a Clark Kent to Superman type transition from the timid fellow who shuffled about the crease at Leeds in the second test.
Jonathan Trott shelled a sharp chance at short mid-wicket with Guptill on 13. After that there were no further kryptonite moments; the opener looked invincible. He got into line, moved his feet and stroked the ball. The boundary took a peppering late but he was clinical working the ball into the legside during the early stanzas. Guptill picked up 40 singles between mid-on and backward square leg.
He received support from Kane Williamson (55) in a partnership of 120, then Ross Taylor (60) helped put on 109 and finally Brendon McCullum (40) joined him for an unbeaten stand of 118. The worm graph looked like someone had cut a skateboard ramp in half; 132 runs came in the final 10 overs. Guptill paced the innings perfectly and McCullum was used at his most effective, coming in with 8.2 overs remaining. The field must have felt like a savannah for the England bowlers and captain Alastair Cook.
It remains a perplexing puzzle why this sort of dominance can't translate to the longer form. Batting coach Bob Carter has taken flak for the recent test demise but equally deserves credit for the limited overs renaissance. He will be breathing easier and feel like at least some of his myriad throwdowns have been justified.
Normally lethal bowlers like James Anderson and Graeme Swann (who seemed to loop his deliveries more than usual) struggled against the New Zealand juggernaut, albeit on a forgiving batting strip.
Guptill became the third New Zealander to score consecutive one-day international centuries after guiding New Zealand to a five-wicket win at Lord's with 103 not out.
Mark Greatbatch was the first to achieve the feat in May 1990 against England, also within 48 hours. Ross Taylor made one against Zimbabwe in October 2011 and backed it up in July 2012 against the West Indies.
Guptill, Greatbatch, Glenn Turner (against East Africa and India at the 1975 World Cup) and Nathan Astle (against the United States at the 2004 Champions Trophy) are the only New Zealanders to score ODI centuries in England.
To give the innings further context it matched the highest score by any player against England in ODIs. Sir Vivian Richards made the same score at Manchester in May 1984.
Guptill had the higher strike rate (121.93 v 111.17).
New Zealand passed the highest total in 16 matches at the ground. The previous best had been 290 for four by India against Kenya in the 2004 Champions Trophy.
The television cameras captured several shots of new England limited overs coach Ashley Giles mimicking the pose of Rodin's The Thinker before his head slipped further into his hands. There's certainly plenty of thinking to do with the Champions Trophy starting in a few days.
Still, Giles' team is an experienced unit capable of a revival. They've also been without the skills and experience of Steve Finn and Stuart Broad in the opening two games. Like England, the New Zealand bowlers struggled to make inroads, especially with Tim Southee rested. Mitchell McClenaghan was probably the best with three for 35 from 8.1 overs, especially when he returned to clinically mop up the tail.
Trott remained composed for most of the chase, getting to his fourth ODI century, but McCullum could afford to be patient and more defensive than usual in his field placements, knowing England had to force the pace. The Jaws theme was used whenever a decision went to review in this match. It also seemed appropriate for England's cause.
Chasing 360 always meant it was going to be a struggle to avoid getting chomped.
189 NOT OUT
- Highest score by a New Zealander in ODIs, eclipsing Lou Vincent's 172 v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2005. Jamie How had the previous highest against England (139 at Napier in 2008).
- Equal highest score by any player against England in ODIs. Sir Vivian Richards made the same score at Manchester in May 1984. Guptill had the higher strike rate (121.93 v 111.17).
- The fifth-equal top score in ODIs behind Virender Sehwag (219 v West Indies at Indore in 2011), Sachin Tendulkar (200 not out v South Africa at Gwalior in 2010), Charles Coventry (194 not out v Bangladesh at Bulawayo in 2010) and Saeed Anwar (194 v India at Chennai in 1997).
- The third New Zealander to score consecutive one-day international centuries after Mark Greatbatch and Ross Taylor. Greatbatch and Guptill scored theirs in the same series, each two days apart.
- Guptill, Greatbatch, Glenn Turner (against East Africa and India at the 1975 World Cup) and Nathan Astle (against the United States at the 2004 Champions Trophy) are the only New Zealanders to score ODI centuries in England.
- Produced three consecutive century partnerships with Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum.
- 359 for three is New Zealand's sixth highest ODI total but the highest against a top-eight test playing nation. The other five came against Ireland, Zimbabwe (x3) and Canada.
Read more: Guptill's 189 'as good as you will see'
