Rain prevents England thriller run chase as New Zealand level the series

New Zealand tour of England, 2nd ODI: England v New Zealand at The Kennington Oval, London, Jun 12, 2015

New Zealand 398/5 (50 ov)  LRPL Taylor 119 not out off 96, 10 fours and 4 sixes, Kane Williamson 93 off 88, 12 fours and 1 six, MJ Guptil 50 off 54, 6 fours and 1 six, Ben Stokes 66-2, ST Finn 69-1

England 365/9 (46.0/46 ov, target 379) Alex Hales 54 off 49, 6 fours and 3 sixes, Eoin Morgan 88 off 47, 6 fours and 6 sixes, LE Plunkett  44 off 30, 2 fours and 3 sixes, AU Rashid 34 off 26, 6 fours, Trent Boult 53-2, NL McCullum 86-3, MJ McClenaghan 61-2

New Zealand won by 13 runs (D/L method)

New Zealand Won the toss and chose to bat,

New Zealand won the second ODI at Oval by 13 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method  after England nearly chased the record total of 398 runs and squared the  5 match series level 1-1. Rain began to pour again at 8:20pm when England had reached 345 for 7 after an eight wicket 70 run stand between Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett and needed another 54 from 34 deliveries.  But after 45 minutes when play was resumed England lost two quick wickets and needed a further 34 balls from 13 balls and eventually England could muster 365-9. Earlier Eoin Morgan stuck 88 off 47 balls 6 fours and 6 sixes.

For New Zealand Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 119 off 96, 10 fours and 4 sixes, and Kane Williamson’s 93 off 88, 12 fours and 1 six enabled  them  post an imposing total of 398-5. England attack lacked penetration with first four New Zealand partnerships scoring over 50s, with a third wicket 121 stand between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who converted 114-2 to 235-3 by the advent of 36th over.