Batsman Jonny Bairstow bludgeoned a brilliant 83 not out in Durham to lead the England cricketers to a three-wicket win over New Zealand in a rain reduced final one-dayer, earning a 3-2 victory in the five-match series.
England bowler Steven Finn celebrates bowling Black Caps' captain Brendon McCullum during the fifth one day intrnational. Photo: Photosport
In the weather affected match game at Chester-le-Street, Bairstow's classy knock helped England chase down a Duckworth Lewis revised total of 192 from 26 overs with six balls to spare.
World Cup runners-up New Zealand hit 283 for nine off 50 overs and looked to be heading for a comfortable victory after taking several early wickets.
But Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, replacing the injured Jos Buttler, produced an innings worthy of a thrilling series that yielded more than 3,000 runs for the first time in a five-match ODI encounter.
Bairstow, only playing after injury ruled out first-choice wicketkeeper Buttler, made 83 not out as England finished on 192 for 7 with an over to spare.
The England batsman was dropped near the end of their innings by the Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner, and the let off ultimately proved New Zealand's undoing as Bairstow produced a man of the match performance to lift the hosts to victory.
Opener Martin Guptill top-scored for the Black Caps with 67, Kane Williamson made exactly 50 and paceman Ben Wheeler bolstered the total with a quickfire 39 not out.
The England all-rounder Ben Stokes took three for 52 on his Durham home ground and leg-spinner Adil Rashid two for 45.
England and New Zealand will now contest a one-off Twenty20 match at Old Trafford on June 23.
Look back at commentary from the fifth and final match in Durham here.
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