Twitter Reactions: Santner special takes New Zealand over the line in a thriller

After a rather one-sided dominance by Australia in the T20I tri-series, the other two sides involved in the tournament, geared up an ODI showdown. The stage was set in Hamilton for the first ODI of the five-match series between England and New Zealand. England have been one of the most formidable outfits in ODI cricket in the recent times.

On the other hand, New Zealand have been a dominating force in their home conditions too. The first ODI lived to the expectations perfectly with a thrilling finish. Chasing 285 to win, the hosts slumped to 27/3 in their first 10 overs. It was a brilliant 178 run stand between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor that bailed them out of trouble to guide them to safety. While Latham perished after scoring 79, Taylor notched up a brilliant 113 in the game.

However, three more wickets fell in quick succession and England were back in the game. Being 7 down and still 41 runs to get, the hosts felt they had conceded the game. But Mitchell Santner had other plans. Santner finished with an unbeaten 45 off 27 deliveries to seal the game for New Zealand. In the final over, the hosts needed 9 to win. Santner hit a four and a six to seal the deal for the hosts as they now go 1-0 up in the series.

Earlier in the game, it was New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson who had won the toss and had opted to bowl first. The move looked like the right one with Trent Boult removing Jonny Bairstow cheaply on 4. Jason Roy and Joe Root then rebuilt the English innings. They added 79 runs for the second wicket before Roy was cleaned up on 49 by Mitchell Santner.

Skipper Eoin Morgan (8) could not do much on the day and the returning man Ben Stokes (12) followed the skipper soon after as well. Meanwhile, Joe Root continued his good form with the bat to reach his fifty. He perished after scoring 71 off 75 balls with five boundaries and a six.

The innings needed some push from being on 181/5 in 35 overs. Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali proved to be the ideal one for the finish. While Moeen scored a 26-ball 28, Buttler finished with a brilliant 79 off just 65 deliveries with five boundaries and as many number of sixes. England finished with 284/8 in their stipulated 50 overs.

Here is how the fans reacted to the first ODI between New Zealand and England:

New Zealand WIN! What a crackerjack of a game in Hamilton, and the hosts have snuck home by three wickets! @RossLTaylor's century set the foundations, and it was Mitchell Santner who finished the job! pic.twitter.com/qaR3QpTyia

— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2018

Selfie time for the match winner Mitchell Santner #nzveng ? pic.twitter.com/DQf0K3Z4W1

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 25, 2018

Mitchell Santner!!! Thanks for coming!!!

— Laura McGoldrick (@lauramcgoldrick) February 25, 2018

Santa claws does his Magic, this time with the bat to take home the Kiwis to a win! ??@MitchellSantner – 45*(27)#WhistlePodu #KiwiPower #NZvENG

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 25, 2018

Take a bow Mitchell Santner – victory from the jaws of defeat @BLACKCAPS

— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) February 25, 2018

Mitchell Santner Finishes off in Style with the BAT to ensure a 3 wicket win for the @BLACKCAPS.

45* from 27 Balls which included 2 boundaries & 4 sixes #NZvENG #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/cESYGhuzE6

— Lakshmi Narayanan (@lakshuakku) February 25, 2018

Mitchell Santner 45*(27)
3 fours & 4 Sixes ?
From 244/7 to 287/7 Santner Mass @ChennaiIPL picked Santner for just 50L

— SaiPrasad (@SaiPrasadDrlng) February 25, 2018

Well done match finish in a 1st ODI Mitchell santner 45*(27) 2(4s) 4(6s) in a wining short will be six in a @MitchellSantner #NZvENG

— Shashi Raj (@ShashiR62881070) February 25, 2018

New Zealand scored 34 runs in last three overs to win a thriller and what a way to begin the ODI series.. Santner smashed 45 in 27 balls with Four sixes…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 25, 2018

Santner scores 43 off 18 balls.

3 overs ago the pundits were berating him for being too slow. #BlackCaps Win @BLACKCAPS

— paul le comte (@five15design) February 25, 2018

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