New Zealand secured a 17-run victory over England in a rain-affected third One-Day International at Old Trafford, Manchester, levelling the four-match series at 1-1. The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method was employed to determine the outcome after persistent rain curtailed England's chase, leaving the home side frustrated after a promising start to the game.
Having won the toss and elected to bowl, England initially struggled to contain the New Zealand batsmen. The visitors posted a formidable total of 298-5 from their allotted 50 overs, built on strong performances from their top order. England's bowlers, despite picking up wickets at regular intervals, were unable to prevent New Zealand from setting a challenging target.
In response, England's chase began under clear skies, but the weather soon took a turn. With rain interrupting play, the target was revised multiple times, ultimately leaving England needing to score at an increasingly high rate. Despite valiant efforts, including some aggressive batting, the English side found themselves behind the DLS par score when the final rain delay occurred, leading to the match being called off.
The result means the series now stands evenly poised with one match remaining. The outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of cricket in England, where weather conditions can often play a decisive role in the final result. Both teams will now look ahead to the series decider, hoping for better weather and a clear contest to determine the overall winner.
England's captain expressed disappointment with the weather's intervention, stating, "It's frustrating when rain plays such a big part, especially when we felt we were still in with a shout. Credit to New Zealand, they played well, and we'll regroup for the final match."