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England v New Zealand preview: Joe Root hoping to maintain rhythm

Joe Root of England celebrates reaching his centruy during the 1st ODI against New Zealand
Image: Joe Root: Wants England to find consistency

Joe Root is hoping England can find and maintain a rhythm after their emphatic victory over New Zealand in the first ODI.

The Yorkshire batsman struck a century to help the hosts post 408 and set up a 210-run victory at Edgbaston and, with caretaker coach Paul Farbrace expected to name an unchanged line-up for Friday's clash at The Oval, Root is hoping that result was the start of something special.

Root said: "Obviously the way we played there was pretty much the perfect performance. I suppose our challenge now is to try and do that more consistently."

He is close, he will be considered. We'll see how he scrubs up.
Mike Hesson on Tim Southee

"We've shown we can do it, and it's certainly something we'll look to replicate on Friday... we'll go out there with a similar frame of mind to take on New Zealand.

'Approach'

"We've now done that, we know we can do it - can we go and do it again on Friday? It's about taking the same mindset, same approach and hope we can do the same thing.

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Joe Root says Matt Prior's retirement will be a great loss for English cricket.

"We're not naive enough to think they won't come back hard at us, because they're a great side. They've proved that now for the last couple of years in one-day cricket, and we're going to have to play extremely well to get another win under our belts."

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The touring Black Caps are likely to shuffle their pack with leading seamer Tim Southee expected to be recalled.

The 26-year-old sat out the opening ODI - 'rested' - but is pushing for inclusion in London and may displace Mitchell McClenaghan, who went for 93 runs from his 10 overs at Birmingham.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said of Southee, who decimated England at the World Cup: "He is close, he will be considered. We'll see how he scrubs up.

"Mitch was unlucky in his first spell, then frustration led to poor execution. He will bowl worse than that and have far more flattering figures in the future."

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Reaction from Edgbaston after Jos Buttler and Joe Root blazed centuries as England posted their highest ODI total and beat New Zealand by 210 runs.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has praised England’s performance in the first ODI and is expecting more fireworks from the hosts.

He said: "To come out and get 400 on any surface - although it was a very, very good one - is a great effort.

"I'm familiar with most of the players, having played county cricket over here, and I knew to expect they'd play aggressively.

"There's a lot of strokemakers. It wasn't a surprise."

Williamson has also backed Adil Rashid to become an England regular after the all-rounder’s career best batting and bowling figures on Tuesday.

Rashid made 69 from 50 balls before taking 4-55 in the emphatic victory. 

He added: "Adil's got all the attributes to be a successful all-rounder. I know him well from playing at Yorkshire - he's been a class performer for some time.

"Certainly his spot's deserved in the side. He can contribute in so many ways."

Watch England v New Zealand, 2nd ODI, Friday 12.30pm, Sky Sports 2

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