Earlier in the match, England suffered a startling batting meltdown as New Zealand hauled themselves back into the fourth ODI in Dunedin after a powerful century from Jonny Bairstow. Joe Root also reached three figures, his first in any international since last August, but that was completed in the shadow of an England collapse of 8 for 46 with Ish Sodhi taking a career-best 4 for 58, although a final total of 335 for 9 was still imposing.

England wicket keeping batsmen Bairstow, who was dropped on 74, and Root had taken charge with their dominant second-wicket stand as England's top order hit top gear for the first time since the opening ODI against Australia in Melbourne. Bairstow had not converted a number of starts over the last two series, following his successful promotion to opener last year, but here skipped to his third ODI century off 86 deliveries. Such was the turnaround in the innings, by the time Root reached his hundred from 99 balls England were seven down. Ross Taylor magnificent 181 runs helped Kiwis to leveled the series 2-2. New Zealand chased down 336 runs in just 49.3 overs with lose of 5 wicket.

Brief score: England 335 for 9 (Bairstow 138, Root 102, Sodhi 4-58) lost to New Zealand 339 for 5 wickets (Ross Taylor 181 not out, Tim Latham 71, Curran 2-57)