England vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2008: Pietersen's century led his country to win by 114 against Black Cap

England team led the five-match ODI series by 1-0 after defeating the tourists by 114 runs at Chester-le-Street. It was English batsman Kevin Pietersen whose aggressive unbeaten 110 helped to keep on the dominance over New Zealand and made a run-mountain under the throat of weak foe team. After Kevin Pietersen, it was Owais Shah who hit a whirlwind 49 off just 25 balls that set them to make a chasing score of 307 for 5 after being pushed to bat first.
It was amazing that England team took 71 runs in last five overs to cross 300 mark the third time against New Zealand.
English all rounder showed the way to snatch the win after crashing the New Zealand top order batting and never let them have a Sniff of reaching 308. Comparing with the opponent, New Zealand started well in their opening pair but target seemed more challenging for the visitors when they lost the important wicket of Brendon McCullum for 36 left NZ 52/1 in 8.1 overs. He was the highest run scorer in his side. No one could make any resistance against English bowlers that was led by young paceman Stuart Broad and finished by Captain Paul Collingwood. Tight and disciplined bowling from all rounder could bundle tourist within 193 off 42.5 overs.
For Kevin Pietersen it was his first one-day hundred since the 2007 world cup. England had lost the first wicket of Luke Wright for 11 while struggled to replicate his silky timing however he got out before fulfilling another fifty. As a captain and all rounder Paul Collingwood showed his superb performance claiming the last four wickets in 2.5 overs for 15 and finished the match. New Zealand captain Danile Vettori won the toss only and they did not get anything.
Kevin Pietersen, who scored his 6^th ODI century against New Zealand and left the field remain unbeaten 110 off just facing 112 balls including 8 boundaries and 3 big sixes, awarded “player of the match”.
Now, these two teams will face their second ODI match at Edgbaston, Birmingham which begin on June 18, 2007. This match is scheduled to start at 10:45 local, 09:45 GMT.
For live and exclusive updates of England-New Zealand match ball by ball visit this link- Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
For England-New Zealand ODI match schedule visit this link- New Zealand in England 2008