Harry Brook Points to Poor Batting After England Lose ODI Series to New Zealand

England captain Harry Brook pulled no punches in his post-match assessment after New Zealand sealed the three-match ODI series with an emphatic five-wicket victory in the second ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Bowled out for a meager 175 runs, England's batting collapse handed New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match still to play—marking the Black Caps' first bilateral ODI series win at home against England since 2008.

A Batting Unit Under Pressure

England's struggles with the bat have been a recurring theme throughout 2025, and Wednesday's collapse was another painful chapter. After being asked to bat first, the visitors crumbled to 175 all out in just 36 overs, with only a handful of batters showing any resistance. Blair Tickner, making a stunning return to international cricket, led New Zealand's bowling attack with figures of 4/38 in eight overs, dismantling England's top and middle order.

Speaking after the match, Brook didn't mince words: "Disappointing to say the least, but we've got to come back stronger and better for Sunday and hopefully get at least one win against these boys who are second in the world rankings. They've played well, they've played better than us in the first two games."

The skipper acknowledged that while the conditions at Seddon Park are similar to English pitches and offer something for the seamers early on, England's batsmen failed to capitalize once they got through the initial challenging period.

"The conditions are very similar to England. It does do a little bit with the new ball. They're nice wickets to bat on, but it's just trying to get through that first period of your innings, the first 15-20 balls, and then you've got to try and cash in from that," Brook explained.

Inconsistency Haunts England

What makes England's batting woes even more puzzling is the stark contrast to their recent performances. Just a few games ago, England posted a mammoth 400 against South Africa, showcasing their ability to dominate with the bat when in rhythm. Yet, in New Zealand, they've managed just 223 in the first ODI and 175 in the second—totals that left their bowlers with little to defend.

"We want to get out there and entertain the world, entertain everybody watching here, and it's just not come off in the last couple of games. It was only two-three games ago when we got 400 against South Africa, so it's not far away, and hopefully we can have a good game on Saturday," Brook said, maintaining optimism despite the series defeat.

Jofra Archer Shines in Defeat

While England's batting faltered, one bright spot was the performance of pace spearhead Jofra Archer. The lanky fast bowler delivered a spell of pure class, finishing with figures of 3/24 in 10 overs—including four maidens—with an exceptional economy rate of 2.40. Archer's precision and pace troubled New Zealand's batters throughout, and Brook was effusive in his praise.

"He's an awesome bowler. Everybody loves watching him. He bowls 90-95mph and he hoops it both ways. So he's a valuable asset for us. For him to bowl 3/23 off 10 overs is just amazing. So, it's awesome to have him back," Brook said.

Archer's return to full fitness has been a significant boost for England, and his performance offered a reminder of what he brings to the side—raw pace, swing, and the ability to create pressure even on flat wickets.

New Zealand's Dominant Chase

Chasing a modest 176, New Zealand didn't have it all their own way. Archer struck early, removing Will Young in the first over, and England's bowlers created periods of pressure in the middle overs. However, half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra (54), Daryl Mitchell (54), and a quickfire cameo from Mitchell Santner (34 not out) ensured New Zealand crossed the line comfortably with 101 balls to spare.

Mitchell and Santner's unbeaten 59-run partnership effectively sealed the match, with Santner hitting towering sixes off Adil Rashid to remove any remaining doubt.

England's ODI Decline Continues

This series loss extends England's dismal run in 50-over cricket. They've now lost six of their last seven bilateral ODI series, and the statistics paint a grim picture—10 defeats in 14 ODIs in 2025 alone. The side that revolutionized white-ball cricket and won the 2019 World Cup now finds itself searching for answers.

With the third ODI set for Saturday in Wellington, England will be desperate to avoid a whitewash and restore some pride. Brook remained defiant when asked about the team's approach for the final match.

"Just dig deep again. Same messaging. We're going to try and entertain, we're going to try and be positive and aggressive, and hopefully it comes off this time," he said.

For New Zealand, this series win is a statement of intent as they continue building toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup. For England, it's another wake-up call that their ODI struggles run deeper than just a bad day at the office.