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Napier: Joe Root and Jonathan Trott, both registered splendid half centuries and added a majestic unbeaten 121 run stand off just 95 deliveries to power England to victory in the 2nd ODI in Napier and level the series.
Behind an outstanding century from Ross Taylor and dazzling 74 from Brendon McCullum the Blackcaps managed to post a respectable 269 in the first-innings – impressive considering the slow start they had made.
England's response though was one full of composure and all of the top four played a hand in leading their side to success after 47.4 overs.
Alistair Cook (79) and Ian Bell (44) produced an opening partnership of 89 to immediately put their side on the front foot. In the 20th over Kane Williamson broke through with the wicket of Bell, but his replacement Jonathan Trott denied the BLACKCAPS any chance of a collapse.
Tim Southee's return was highlighted by a sharp caught and bowled to see the end of Cook, but his departure only introduced young Joe Root, who arguably proved to be more of a threat than his predecessor.
Root showed plenty of aggression to make an unbeaten 79 from 56 deliveries and bring up a comfortable victory for his side. Trott played an admirable supporting role, finishing with an unbeaten 65 from 73 deliveries.
Earlier, after England sent to bat, former captain Ross Taylor and skipper Brendon McCullum provided some late-innings power hitting to guide New Zealand to 269 all out.
Taylor anchored the innings with a well-crafted 100, his seventh one-day century, while McCullum blasted 74 from 36 deliveries to resurrect the innings after England's bowlers had strangled New Zealand's batsmen early on.
England's strike bowlers James Anderson and Steve Finn put New Zealand under immense pressure and severely restricted their scoring despite a good surface and the short square boundaries.
Such was the stranglehold that the home side made just 21 for two in the first 10 overs, Anderson taking both wickets by having BJ Watling caught in the slips for seven and debutant Hamish Rutherford caught at short mid-off for 11.
Kane Williamson and Taylor resurrected the innings, combining for a 72-run partnership before Williamson dragged a wide Chris Woakes delivery onto his leg stump for 33.
Taylor and Grant Elliott (23) put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter was dismissed by Finn in the first over of the batting powerplay to leave New Zealand struggling at 143 for four.
McCullum, however, unleashed his fireworks, thrashing nine fours and four sixes in a 44-minute knock that pushed the home side towards a respectable total.
Anderson returned to mop up the New Zealand tail and finished with impressive figures of five for 34 in 9.5 overs, while Woakes had three for 68 from 10 overs.
Brief scores
New Zealand 269 (Taylor 100, McCullum 74, Anderson 5-34, Woakes 3-68)
England 106 for 1 (Root 79*, Cook 78, Trott 65*)
Result England won by 8 wickets
