New Zealand v England

At Dunedin, February 26 (day/night). New Zealand won by five wickets. Toss: England.

An expertly paced century from Astle, his 12th in one-day internationals, clinched a 3-2 series win for New Zealand and prevented England from pulling off a second Lazarus-like comeback of the winter. Astle flew out of the blocks, smashing 46 in boundaries to reach his first fifty from 42 balls. But Fleming edged to second slip two balls later to make it 80 for three, forcing Astle to adapt: his second fifty came from 85 deliveries, with his 12th four bringing up both his hundred and a century stand with McMillan. Gough gave England hope by dismissing McMillan and Cairns in the next over with 39 needed. Vincent stayed calm, though, and Astle finished things off with seven balls to spare when he swung Flintoff into the stands - the fifth six in a 150-ball innings. It also took him past 5,000 runs in his 150th limited-overs international. England's 218 for eight was at least 25 below expectations, despite a gutsy fourth-wicket stand of 71 between Hussain, hitting his first one-day international fifty in 13 innings, and Shah, who showed touches of real class. Ben Hollioake made his final appearance here, as a substitute, and fielded with his usual athleticism at backward point and fine leg.

Man of the Match: N. J. Astle