England vs New Zealand live score: Black Caps closing in on 3–0 sweep as Harry Brook fights; Zakary Foulkes’ rise underscores series

England’s tour is teetering toward a whitewash. In the third ODI in Wellington today, New Zealand are calmly reeling in a 223 target, needing fewer than 80 with ample overs remaining after a solid start from the top order and another composed middle-overs stand. England had earlier lurched from 102–7 to a more respectable 222 thanks to late-order resistance, but that total is proving light on a fresh, two-paced pitch that has rewarded discipline more than fireworks.

England vs New Zealand: today’s match situation

• Venue: Wellington (3rd ODI, day game)

• Target: England 222; New Zealand chase 223

• Match state (latest): New Zealand require well under 100 with more than 20 overs in hand, run rate comfortably below four-an-over.

England’s seamers briefly clawed back momentum after an enterprising opening stand, but New Zealand steadied through smart rotation and selective aggression square of the wicket. The difference so far has been strike rotation and error management: where England’s top order prodded and nicked, New Zealand have left well and pounced on anything short.

Harry Brook headlines England’s resistance

Harry Brook remains the tourists’ brightest thread in this series tapestry. His blistering century in the opener turned a 10–4 calamity into a defendable 223 and reaffirmed his status as England’s tempo-setter in the middle order. Even when the scoreboard has sagged, Brook’s gears—back-foot punching through point, pickup over midwicket, and late-innings acceleration—have kept England’s innings from total freefall. The challenge is support: aside from bursts from Jamie Overton and cameos around him, England have lacked the 60–80 run second act that converts solitary brilliance into match control.

Zakary Foulkes: the new-ball tone-setter for New Zealand

Zakary (Zak) Foulkes has been a defining subplot. The 23-year-old seamer’s first-ODI burst (4–for) showcased why he’s become a selector’s dream: repeatable length, subtle movement, and a knack for pounding that awkward good/short-of-a-length channel. England’s top order, searching for release strokes, repeatedly found fielders or thin edges. With senior quicks rotating and others managing workloads, Foulkes’ ability to hit the deck and hold shape has meshed neatly with New Zealand’s plan to let the pitch make the mischief.

Series snapshot: New Zealand in control

• 1st ODI (Mount Maunganui, Oct 26): New Zealand won by 4 wickets. Brook’s 135 lit up a rescue act but the hosts chased with plenty in hand.

• 2nd ODI (Hamilton, Oct 29): New Zealand won by 5 wickets. England 175 all out; Blair Tickner’s incisive spell opened the door before Daryl Mitchell guided the reply.

• 3rd ODI (Wellington, Nov 1): Live—New Zealand tracking a modest chase to seal a 3–0 sweep.

Across the two completed games, New Zealand have owned the new ball and the middle overs with bat and ball. England’s Powerplay returns have been particularly costly—early wickets have forced rebuilds at a crawl, leaving too much to do late. With the ball, England have produced dangerous individual spells (notably with high pace and hard lengths) but haven’t sustained pressure through 10–20 overs, where New Zealand’s batting plans—busy feet, soft hands, and risk-free ones and twos—have steadily banked the chase.

Tactical threads that shaped England vs New Zealand

1. Length discipline vs ego strokes: New Zealand’s quicks have lived on a fraction short of a good length, drawing indecision. England’s batters have often tried to “hit” their way out rather than break the spell with rotation.

2. Spin matchups: New Zealand’s spinners have bowled into big pockets with fields set to invite the single and punish the release slog. England’s attempts to hit over the infield have produced miscues rather than momentum.

3. Catching and fielding: The hosts have been tidier. England’s drops in the first two matches extended pivotal partnerships and flattened whatever pressure their seamers had created.

4. Lower-order value: Overton’s counterpunching has been vital but isolated; New Zealand have regularly squeezed 30–50 “free” runs from positions 6–8, turning par into control.

What England need—immediately and beyond

• Powerplay method: Commit to a red-ball style first 30 balls—play late, play straight, value leaves—and embrace 30 for 1 over 50 for 3.

• Middle-overs craft: Build around Brook with a designated anchor who accepts a 70-ball 55 if it stabilizes the innings.

• Bowling continuity: Identify the enforcer-overseam pairing for overs 11–30 and stick to fields that defend the straight one while tempting the square risk.

• Fielding standards: Turn 50–50s into wickets, not reprieves; this series has shown how a single drop can become a 60-run swing.

The road from here

Barring a late twist, New Zealand look set to complete a 3–0 sweep, a result that will underline the hosts’ method-first ODI identity and amplify England’s one-day uncertainty. The silver linings for the visitors are clear—Brook’s ceiling remains sky-high, and their pace unit still frightens on the right surface—but the blueprint needs recalibration. For New Zealand, the emergence of Foulkes alongside the all-round control of Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner suggests depth and balance that travel well.

This is a developing match; final figures and margins may update as play concludes.