KEY POINTS:
PERTH - New Zealand can look forward to another tri-series cricket finals appearance after Jacob Oram blasted them to a record total and 58-run win over England early this morning (NZT).
Batting in the form of his life, Oram clubbed four sixes in his 54 off 33 balls as New Zealand posted 318 for seven, their highest total in 57 one-day internationals against England.
Thanks also to 76 from in-form opener Lou Vincent and 71 from rookie Ross Taylor, New Zealand topped 300 for a second time in three days at the WACA ground and beat their record 298 for six in Leeds in 1990.
England never had the big guns for a competitive chase before wicketkeeper Paul Nixon staged a late flurry, scoring 49 as New Zealand restricted them to 260 for eight before a crowd of 11,294.
It was New Zealand's first win in their last six ODIs in Perth, dating back to 1987-88.
With two round-robin matches remaining, starting against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday, New Zealand have a five-point buffer in second place and are virtually assured of the finals unless a downcast England stage a massive form reversal with two big wins.
England's batsmen made a solid start and were 123 for two in the 26th over before two key moments of New Zealand brilliance.
In-form spinner Daniel Vettori fired one down the leg side and through Andrew Strauss' legs before gloveman Brendon McCullum smartly removed the bails.
Two overs later, Vincent ran out England topscorer Ed Joyce for 66 with a slick direct hit from side-on, and when captain Andrew Flintoff was bowled by Vettori for 13 it was all but over at 160 for six.
Oram also recovered from an injury scare when he fell awkwardly on his ribs taking a diving catch off a Jeetan Patel no-ball. He left the field in pain, but later returned after ice treatment.
It was the now-customary Oram assault rocketed New Zealand past 300.
After his 86 against England a week ago and his 71-ball century here against Australia on Sunday, he now has 241 tri-series runs from three matches, for just once out.
He clouted paceman Chris Tremlett for consecutive sixes in the 49th over as New Zealand added 48 off the last three and 99 off the last 10.
England, without injured pacemen James Anderson (back) and Jon Lewis (ankle), donated 22 wides as New Zealand sped along at a good clip.
Vincent again celebrated his recall for the retired Nathan Astle with a second successive half-century at the ground where he scored 104 and 54 on test debut five years ago.
He and Taylor added 137 for the third wicket as Taylor played the aggressor, his 71 scored off 81 balls including seven fours and a six.
The innings stalled a touch when they lost three for 29 in the middle stages, with Taylor fooled by a Paul Collingwood slower ball and Vincent chipping Liam Plunkett to mid-wicket in the 41st over.
- NZPA
