Buttler's blitz lifts England but questions remain
They may have won, but England left Trent Bridge with many questions left unanswered ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign
They may have won, but England left Trent Bridge with many questions left unanswered ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign
Scorer: Sanjay Murari | Commentator: Alex Winter
That wraps up this series, England have won and have improved significantly but have plenty to think about ahead of the Champions Trophy. New Zealand are in better shape and look a good bet yet again to cause a few surprises. We don't have long to wait for the Champions Trophy because it begins tomorrow. India v South Africa is the opener in Cardiff, full coverage, as ever, across ESPNcricinfo so make sure you stay tuned in and my colleagues will have live coverage from 10am BST tomorrow. But from Trent Bridge, from Gnasher, Monty and myself Alex Winter, it's goodbye.
Presentation time, Jos Buttler MoM? The umpires, as ever, are up first. They're getting pens for their efforts. How many officials are there!?! Man of the Match, who gets the champagne, goes to Jos Buttler for his thrilling hitting at the end of the innings that could have rescued England's Champions Trophy campaign? Butterflies n'all. Man of the Series is Martin Guptill for the most runs ever in a three-match bilateral ODI series. He has been superb.
"The win was very important and we thought we played pretty well," says the winning captain Alastair Cook. "We haven't got it right this series, we're almost there but if you're not 100% you get beaten but we showed character and the different side worked today. We're lucky to have two spinners, very different spinners too and they could play together."
The New Zealanders get their series-winning medals, even Colin Munro gets a medal! Brendon McCullum, back to a runner-up today, says: "Today we were good for the majority of the game but two periods cost us: Jos Buttler's innings and losing 4 for 20 odd through the middle. But we showed that if we continue to execute our plans we're a good side. Overall we'll take confidence form this series into the Champions Trophy." McCullum's lifts the NatWest Trophy and the Kiwis spray the champers.
But this series has belonged to New Zealand. Despite defeat here they have shown the world what a useful one-day side they can be and have batsmen and bowlers in form ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign which starts on Sunday. The main plus for them has been the form of Martin Guptill. His power-hitting has been a joy to watch and has led the innings really well, allowing Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum in particular to play around him. That is a dangerous trio if they get going.
England have fought back well here and have won by 34 runs. The key really was Jos Buttler, whose 47 in just 16 balls lifted England's mood, gave them a solid total they have defended comfortably with Steven Finn and Stuart Broad back. They needed something after two hammerings and have dusted themselves down to take victory here, only a consolation, but plenty of positives to take into the Champions Trophy, which for them starts on Saturday against Australia.
MJ McClenaghan c Root b Finn 4 (18m 13b 0x4 0x6) SR: 30.76
Can Steven Finn finish it off? He's on from the Radcliffe Road End...
Very nice over...
Free-flowing alcohol, cheers for the sun, and a New Zealand allrounder confused with a famous, historic American president - it was some day in Nottingham
His explosive, 16-ball innings against New Zealand may have been brief but the signs are that Jos Buttler will have a long and successful international career
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third ODI at Trent Bridge
They may have won, but England left Trent Bridge with many questions left unanswered ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign
With their form and home advantage disappearing, Alastair Cook's side are being viewed differently ahead of the Champions Trophy