Nottingham, United Kingdom - New Zealand coach Mike Hesson believes Saturday's deciding one-day international against England in Durham will provide a "fantastic finale" to an enthralling series.
England ensured a winner-takes-all clash at Chester-le-Street after levelling the five-match campaign at 2-2 with a stunning seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.
New Zealand -- who thrashed England by eight wickets in Wellington in February en route to the World Cup final -- appeared to be well-placed after making 349 for seven.
But England romped to victory with six overs to spare following a third-wicket stand of 198 between Joe Root (106 not out) and skipper Eoin Morgan (113).
Runs have flowed from the bats of both teams this series and Hesson said: "It's been a very entertaining four matches.
"Obviously, getting down to Durham should be a fantastic finale."
There is no doubt that, aware of the class of their opponents, a revamped England have raised their white-ball game so far this series.
Not that Hesson took any pride in England's revival.
"We'll feel much prouder if we win the series," he said.
"We play the game in the right spirit and we think we play an entertaining brand, but it's all about winning games of cricket."
New Zealand, without injured left-arm paceman Trent Boult, saw their attack take a pounding on Wednesday, Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales leading the way with a quickfire 67 on his home ground.
England lost Hales and fellow opener Jason Roy in quick succession but the tourists couldn't stem the tide of runs.
"At 111 for two, the game was sort of in the balance," said Hesson.
"The way Hales took the game away at the start, we do that to many sides ourselves, so we know that it makes a big chase look a lot smaller.
"Then Joe and Eoin played exceptionally well. We struggled to create any pressure at all, pretty much going at eight (runs) an over the whole time."
A shower briefly halted England's surge to victory and Hesson said the a damp outfield, allied to an absence of swing, hampered his side.
"The key thing is that the ball hasn't swung over here (in England), at all.
"Then, with the ball getting wet, it skidded on beautifully so it takes out a lot of your options and we were punished for that," said Hesson.
AFP
