London: England suffered a 13- run Duckworth-Lewis defeat against New Zealand in the thrilling second One Day International (ODI) of the five-match series at Kennington Oval on Friday.
It was a cracker of a game where 760 runs were scored in a day, the highest number of runs ever seen in an ODI on English soil.
Chasing the huge target of 399, England came out all guns blazing as both Jason Roy and Alex Hales played their shots right from the beginning. Openers Hales and Roy gave their side the perfect start adding 85 runs for the opening stand.
Hales soon got to his fifty, but both Joe Root and him got out in a space of 3 balls, leaving England at 100/3. Stokes and Eoin Morgan though came out attacking, hitting the Kiwi bowlers all over the park.
At one stage, England were cruising to victory needing 54 runs from 37 balls when rains halted the play. After the rain break they were given a target of 379 in 46 overs, needing 34 runs from 13 balls. In the end, it turned out to be a little too much for the lower-order as England fell short by 13 runs.
Earlier contrasting performance from Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson helped New Zealand post an imposing 399-run target for the English side.
Ross Taylor was awarded man of the match for his brilliant 119 off 96 balls.
Jubilant with the victory, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said it was terrifying at times. England were playing a completely different brand of cricket to what they have played in recent times. Everyone thought that 400 should be plenty, but it wasn't.
Meanwhile, England skipper Morgan said that it was an epic game and the style of cricket that both teams played was exceptional.
The series continues at Southampton on Sunday.
Brief scores
New Zealand - 398 for 5 (Taylor 119*, Williamson 93, Guptill 50)
England - 365 for 9 (Morgan 88, Hales 54, N McCullum 3-86)
Resutl - New Zealand won by 13 runs - D/L method