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Root, Morgan stun Black Caps in record chase

England chase down record total to set up ODI series decider at Chester-le-Street

Full scorecard: England v New Zealand

England made light work of chasing a record target of 350 to beat New Zealand by seven wickets in Nottingham and send their high-scoring one-day international series to a fifth and deciding match.

New Zealand's 7-349 would normally be a monumental target in the 50-over format but it was made to look inadequate by the hosts at Trent Bridge on Wednesday as they reached the total with 36 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.

Joe Root (106no off 97) and captain Eoin Morgan (113 off 82) put on 198 for the third wicket in less than 27 overs as the tourists toiled in vain on another flat surface.

It was England's highest successful run chase, easily eclipsing their 5-306 against Pakistan 15 years ago, and the first time they’ve posted 300-plus in four straight matches.

The only time New Zealand have conceded more in the second innings was when England reached an insufficient 9-365 in the second game at The Oval last week.

The win to England means Saturday’s fifth ODI at Chester-le-Street in Durham is now a decider, and it promises to be another rollicking affair, with the average target for the first four games just over 365.

New Zealand's innings after winning the toss was typical of them in this series, featuring a quick-fire start from Martin Guptill (53) and Brendon McCullum (35), although both openers again failed to push on.

Kane Williamson (90) and Ross Taylor (42) combined for their third successive century stand, with Williamson's 70-ball knock his 25th greater than 50 in 78 ODIs.

In the process the 24-year-old became fifth-fastest player, and fastest Black Cap, to reach 3000 ODI runs. He has scored 346 runs in the series, including 118 in game three at Southampton on Sunday.

Grant Elliott (55) and Mitchell Santner (44) provided late fireworks, including 28 runs off the 47th over bowled by fellow-spinner Adil Rashid, featuring four leg-side sixes.

Pace bowlers Mark Wood and Steven Finn conceded a relatively economical 100 runs from their combined 20 overs.

Alex Hales (67) and Jason Roy (38) raced to 100 for England's first wicket inside 11 overs before Morgan and Root continued their prolific series, although both offered chances.

Taylor didn't pick up the flight of a relatively easy Root edge off Mitchell McClenaghan when he was on nine.

Morgan, on 66, skied a shot deep to midwicket which fell between uncertain fielders Elliott and Ben Wheeler.

Otherwise the English pair were in control, keeping the run rate required down courtesy of a series of aggressive shots early in their partnership.

Morgan's sizzling 82-ball stay featured 12 fours and five sixes and was his eighth ODI hundred, while Root was comparatively sedate, facing 97 balls.

All the New Zealand bowlers conceded at last seven runs per over.

Matt Henry bagged 2-77 off his full complement while Wheeler was punished in his second ODI, conceding 0-75 off eight overs.