England romp home, claim series on Bairstow ton

A masterful century by Jonny Bairstow saw England cruise to a seven-wicket win in the deciding one-day international against New Zealand to wrap up the series 3-2 in Christchurch on Saturday. Bairstow's 104 off 60 deliveries, backed by 61 from fellow opener Alex Hales transformed the winner-takes-all showdown from an expected tight contest into a one-way event. New Zealand, sent in to bat, struggled to 223 with the last wicket falling on the penultimate ball and England knocked off their target in 32.4 overs with Ben Stokes finishing the match with a six.

BREAKING: New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the ODI series decider against England with a thigh injury. #SSN pic.twitter.com/0VoWR4dUra

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 9, 2018

Both sides were hit with late replacements but with marked differences. New Zealand's batting maestro Ross Taylor failed a late fitness test and was replaced by Mark Chapman who made a three-ball duck. England lost Jason Roy to a back spasm and his replacement Hales opened with Bairstow in a 155-run stand for the first wicket. Hales was the second wicket to fall when England were on 177 and just 47 runs short of victory.

England thrash New Zealand by 7 wickets, scoring 229/3 with more than 17 overs to spare!#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/QdOluN4mg7

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 10, 2018

Eoin Morgan had a short stay for eight while Ben Stokes was 26 not out at the end with Joe Root on 23. England's domination began at the start of the day when Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl. Midway through the 26th over, New Zealand were 93 for six while England were 192 for two at the same stage.

England swat aside New Zealand to take ODI serieshttps://t.co/rYBAV9Xp3P #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/AYERvKcLjB

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 10, 2018

Bairstow toyed with the best of New Zealand's bowling stocks as he smacked nine fours and six sixes. He eventually brought about his own downfall by belting the stumps as he stepped back to cut a wide Trent Boult delivery. Hales was at the crease for 74 deliveries for his 61 which included nine boundaries. After the first four ODIs, which had the series level at 2-2, the England bowling attack had the New Zealand batsmen well worked out.

SERIES SEALED! Stokes ends game with a six but Bairstow (104 from 60) the star as England beat New Zealand to complete 3-2 ODI victory - Eoin Morgan's side have won six 50-over series on the bounce. https://t.co/8SBUSRF0o9 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/YAMmJcrk3d

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 10, 2018

Colin Munro went on the second ball he faced, caught behind off Chris Woakes for the third time in five innings and for his second consecutive duck. Mark Wood bowled Kane Williamson for 14 before spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali stepped up to decimate the middle of the New Zealand innings. Rashid, who finished with three for 42, accounted for Tom Latham (10), Martin Guptill (47) and Colin de Grandhomme (six).

REPORT & HIGHLIGHTS: Jonny Bairstow slams 104 as England beat New Zealand to seal 3-2 ODI series win https://t.co/huNHgYL2bX pic.twitter.com/lyWorztMST

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 10, 2018

Mitchell Santner and Henry Nicholls put on 84 for the seventh wicket to give the innings some substance. Santner, who rescued New Zealand in the first match, hit a personal-best 67 while Nicholls was out for 55. Woakes, who claimed Santner's wicket, was the most economical of the England bowlers taking three for 32 off his 10 overs.

ENGLAND WIN! ?

We defeat New Zealand by 7 wickets to take the series.

Fantastic performance lads ? pic.twitter.com/0QAt7TI4H5

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 10, 2018