England's white-ball year ended in disappointment as they slumped to a 2-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the third and final ODI in Wellington, completing a 3-0 series loss for the visitors. Chasing 223, the Black Caps wobbled late on, losing three wickets for eight runs, but Zak Foulkes and Blair Tickner held their nerve to see the hosts home with two wickets to spare.
Opting to bat first, England were again undone by their top order, with Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith failing to make an impact. Harry Brook top-scored with 41, but it was Jamie Overton's counter-attacking 68 off 57 balls that dragged the tourists to 222 all out in 40.2 overs. Overton also chipped in with two wickets, but it was not enough to deny New Zealand.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra put on 78 for the first wicket to put New Zealand in a strong position. Conway was run out by a deflection off Jamie Overton, and Ravindra fell soon after, but Daryl Mitchell looked set to guide his side home before being dismissed for 44. The lower order stumbled, but Foulkes (14 not out) and Tickner (10 not out) ensured there was no late collapse.
England's top-order woes have been a recurring theme throughout the series, with Smith averaging 6.00, Duckett 3.66, and Root 9.66. Jacob Bethell (10.33) also struggled. Overton was the standout performer for England, contributing with both bat and ball, but his efforts were in vain.
The series sweep means New Zealand have dominated all three games, winning all the tosses and key battles. England will now turn their attention to the upcoming Ashes series, but their batting form against a New Zealand attack missing several first-choice bowlers will be a concern.
