New Zealand defeated England by four wickets in the final one-day match in Christchurch, to secure the series 3-1.

Put in, England struggled for runs and Daniel Vettori took 2-28, but Luke Wright fired four sixes in 47 and Dimi Mascarenhas hit 22 off the final over.

Chasing 243, Brendon McCullum gave the Kiwis a stunning start, blazing five fours and six sixes in 77 off 43 balls.

Ryan Sidebottom struck twice in two balls but rain intervened and the Kiwis won under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the fifth ODI on 606

0900: Well, it was rather a damp-squib end to the series, but I hope you've all enjoyed following it here on BBC Sport. Have any of you stayed up through the night for all five ODIs? If so, you really are "hardcore". We'll be back in action for the first Test in Hamilton, which starts on 5 March (UK time, that's 2130 GMT the night before, on 4 March). Ben Dirs and Sam Lyon will be sharing the live text duty for the first Test - and if your appetite for the Dirs needs whetting, he and Tom Fordyce are in Paris today for the France-England rugby game, so look out for their despatches from there.

However, with the magic hour of 0900 GMT having passed, you can discuss today's match - and the series - on 606. Have fun and enjoy another big weekend of sport, but it's goodbye from me.

"The last thing I saw before leaving for work this morning was Jimmy Anderson getting hit for three sixes in a row, so it was quite nice to switch my computer on and see Sidey getting those two wickets. Now the rain comes... I think the collective word everyone is looking for is boooooooooooooooooooooo. Better start taking some calls before my manager starts asking questions"
Sarah in Middlesbrough in the TMS inbox

0850: Aggers announces that Brendon McCullum has been named as man of the match as the TMS crew go off air.

NEW ZEALAND WIN BY FOUR WICKETS (D/L METHOD) AND WIN SERIES 3-1

0845: Aggers announces "MATCH OVER" - New Zealand have won on Duckworth-Lewis. We don't know by which margin - but common sense would suggest that it's by four wickets (D/L method). The crowd boo when it is announced - and quite right too, having been stood out in the cold for the best part of an hour with no information given to them.

0843: The ground staff have been working tirelessly, but Aggers is critical of the way that no information is being provided to the spectators other than the fact that play would be resuming at 0845 GMT (which is 2145 local time). A virtually inaudible PA announcement (which Aggers couldn't hear) is met with no reaction from the crowd.

0840:Update: Aggers says the umpires can't decide whether NZ should face four or five overs. Either way, it looks like being New Zealand's day. It's drizzling again, and Bill Frindall says if nine overs are being deducted (and only four to be bowled), then he thinks New Zealand have already won! Go figure!

"Well, if this is it, I think Balzac is appropriate as a summary of why NZ have won. 'Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true'."
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox

0835:Play to resume at 0845 GMT. Bill Frindall thinks NZ may have five overs to bat - but may only need to score one more run to win. So England need four wickets, for no runs, to win. Aggers is reminded of the World Cup match in 1992 when the "rain rules" reduced South Africa's target to 21 runs off one ball.

"I'm sitting in my Dhaka office, watching the England match (I was hoping to attend the Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa but getting tickets for that seems to be near impossible thanks to the communication skills of the Bangladeshi Cricket Board), and I am generally disappointed yet again by England's performance with the bat - just wish Mascarenhas could have had a longer spell at the crease. Can England do it? Probably not, thanks to rain and Mr Duckworth and Mr Lewis! Congratulations to NZ"
Mr Imz, from the UK, living and working in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in the TMS inbox

0832: The two umpires are walking out to the middle - while TMS scorer Bill Frindall fears that it overs are lost and they resume, a Duckworth-Lewis may make NZ almost certain to win anyway. But what's this? They're taking the covers off!

"My Kiwi housemate went back to bed an hour ago so confident of NZ strolling to victory was he. Am praying that NZ's unrivalled ability to choke will provide an unwelcome surprise when he resurfaces"
Swiss Tony, Cape Town, in the TMS inbox[The rain may allow your housemate to have the last laugh - MM]

"Regarding Phil Mustard, I think he more resembles the slightly chubby one in every good Boy Band setup... always there at the back and no-one's ever quite sure why"
Alison, in Ghana, in the TMS inbox[That's very harsh on the Colonel, he's kept wicket very well - MM]

"Don't know whether it is my soundcard or not but listening to TMS it sounds like all the commentators have been inhaling helium. Listening to Geoffrey Boycott sounding like one of the Smurfs is one of the bizarrest things I have ever heard"
Graham Walker in the TMS inbox[I think it must be your soundcard, but it's a fascinating image - MM]

"The bowlers' run-ups should have been covered immediately - it's unfair if they're not"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

0817: Confusingly, a green sheet has been brought on and unfurled on top of the other covers... and then is taken off again. The umpires are looking at their watches, but they can't resume while it's still raining. The match has until 0900 GMT to be completed, so if we do resume, it's likely to be a reduced-overs scenario. A tractor whizzes onto the outfield with some brown matting.

0815: We've been off for a little while now with rain. England need to get back on the field, as NZ are ahead on Duckworth-Lewis. The rain has lessened but not ceased completely, and the umpires are having a chat with the ground staff.

"Wouldn't it be ironic if the England bowling, which has been the weak part of this whole series, turned out to be the winning factor in this match? Not that I want to become too optimistic at this stage... but 'hope springs eternal'..."
Paul, another expatriate Brit in Canada (Vancouver area), in the TMS inbox

"Oh dear are England doing it again, making us all think it's a lost cause and then coming back giving us hope, only to disappoint? Hope not"
Andy, Alberta, in the TMS inbox

"We all wake up to doom and gloom, and then suddenly three wickets down. Who says the power of prayer/positive thought doesn't work!"
Carol, reading online in Portugal[Someone may have done a rain dance since you sent that e-mail - MM]

"The crowd are heading for cover, but I'd be surprised if anyone leaves as for the first time today, we actually have a contest on our hands"
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

37th over - RAIN STOPPED PLAY - NZ 213-6
Taylor prods forward to Anderson, but then finds more runs through his favoured third man area - he tries to steer it through point, but it flies off the edge for four. A leg-bye and a single rotate the strike before Taylor chops another one Aggers and Boycs on TMS have even noticed rain in the air, might Duckworth-Lewis have the final say? The current D/L par score is 179, but would of course rise if NZ lost a wicket. And they're off as the rain is now chucking it down. If they don't return, New Zealand will have won.

"MM, that guy holding the phone in the 'text icon' has a rather long finger or a short thumb. Make a good leggie me thinks"
Glenn, in tears in Dubai, in the TMS inbox

36th over - NZ 203-6
With Sidey having finished his spell, Broad returns for his sixth over and just beats Vettori's outside edge as the Kiwi captain tries to cut. Broad is lucky not to concede an aerial wide when he sends down a bouncer, then Vettori steers one into the covers for two.

"Styris let England back into the game last time when he slogged it to long-on, then he's done the same today and from a lost cause, England may even be favourites here"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

35th over - NZ 201-6
As per the rules, the "new" (old) ball is introduced after 34 overs. It's handed to Anderson, who's now bowling to two slips. England are convinced they have Vettori caught behind, but the man they have to convince - Billy Bowden - isn't convinced. Vettori works one off his legs to midwicket and they run three.

34th over - NZ 198-6
Captain Daniel Vettori digs out a yorker for the hat-trick ball to get him off the mark with a single. Taylor is happy to see off the final ball of Sidey's spell, and he finishes with 3-51.

33.4 overs - WICKET - Oram b Sidebottom 0 - NZ 197-6
Oram is bowled first ball by one that nips back, Sidey is ecstatic and he's on a hat-trick! High-fives and wild hair everywhere! Look at his face, just look at his face!

33.3 overs - WICKET - Flynn lbw b Sidebottom 0 - NZ 197-5
This is Sidey's last over, and Taylor runs through for a quick single. Then, the debutant is rapped on the pad and for once, Asad Rauf raises his finger almost immediately and England, shockingly, are back in the game!

"At the end of the day, the one extra over from Anderson might have won it for NZ. I thought that the slower bowlers were giving the batters some grief - so I would have stuck with Dimi & Colly for a bit. Anyway, I am done for tonight... got to get the zzzs and get ready for the India-Australia biggie tomorrow. Surprise me England... sure you can. (just kidding!)
Sand from Arkansas in the TMS inbox

33rd over - NZ 196-4
New batsman is left-handed ODI debutant Daniel Flynn, and he ducks his first ball which is a bouncer.

32.4 overs - WICKET - Styris c Broad b Anderson 25 - NZ 196-4
Incredibly, Anderson is getting another over. Taylor tickles a single to deep backward square leg, and the wild-haired Sidey sends in a wild throw. Styris then punches a loose one straight to mid-off. "It's not over yet", says Arlo White on TMS.

32nd over - NZ 195-3
Another drinks break is taken, and when they resume, it's another double change as Mascarenhas comes off and Sidey returns for his ninth over. Styris tries to flick one off his legs which shoots away for four and just evades the tumbling Colonel behind the stumps. A single takes Styris to 25, he's nearly caught up Taylor's score (30) already. Taylor glances one off his hip to deep backward square leg for a single.

"I wouldn't let Collingwood captain a village team. Where is the attacking intent?"
Steve Crane, via text on 81111

"Hi Mark, I am listening to the NZ radio commentary again on my computer. I had the brainwave of putting my seven-month old son's baby monitor next to the speakers. The receiver works on batteries, so I can walk around the house with him listening to the radio commentary! I'm not too sure if he is too pleased though. My wife says he is crying from teething, but I'm not so sure"
Jim in Seattle in the TMS inbox

"I'm following it in lovely Canada - don't know why though, probably be more productive if I just went to sleep"
Zach, Ottawa, Ontario, in the TMS inbox

31st over - NZ 189-3
Colly's off and in a surprising bowling change, Anderson (0-45 from four overs) returns to the attack. There's an easy single for Taylor, then a poor long-hop is hooked for four by Styris, who then works a single to leg. A chart showing where Anderson has been pitching the ball today makes quite sorry viewing, far too many short balls bowled. What can he bowl next? A wild legside wide. For goodness' sake Jimmy, you're not at the races today (0-52 from five overs), can you feign a hamstring injury or something and limp off?

30th over - NZ 182-3
Taylor takes the attack to Dimi, lifting him over his head for four before drilling a single to long-on. Styris then tries to lift one towards midwicket but just gets a single. Taylor then hits one straight to Colly at point, Colly bizarrely and needlessly throws the ball towards the stumps with no chance of a run-out and with no-one backing the throw up (did I say it was needless?), they run an overthrow.

29th over - NZ 175-3
It's Colly's eighth over, and despite some hesitation betwen the batsmen, they run a quick single as Anderson's underarm throw to the stumps is well wide. Taylor then heaves towards cow corner and they run two - while a low full-toss is despatched back past the bowler for four. He then keeps the strike with a single.

"To Mark in Loughborough, we are all following cricket in Cayley Hall common room - get over here! Btw Cayley Hall is the best by miles"
Nick, Loughborough, via text on 81111

28th over - NZ 167-3
There's very little natural light left in Christchurch - the floodlights are on. Styris tries an "Ashraful"-style flick to leg, Mascarenhas appeals for lbw as it appears to hit his pad but they run a leg-bye. But with that the only run from the over, Dimi has a maiden.

"Is it true that Colly is upset with Luke Wright because Mrs Colly thinks he's a better bowler than Colly?"
Paul (bored, Vancouver Island), in the TMS inbox

27th over - NZ 166-3
By my calculations, this should be the last over of powerplays (and therefore the fielding restrictions). Ravi Bopara is on as a sub fielder for Pietersen, and he's in quickly to prevent a run to midwicket. Colly then strays down the leg side, Taylor misses it, the Colonel (standing up) was unsighted and didn't have much chance of stopping it and it sails away for four wides. No runs off the bat this over though.

26th over - NZ 161-3
Sidey's off and Mascarenhas returns. Styris plays another calculated edge/open-face shot to third man for another four, before nudging a single to leg. Taylor isn't looking in the best of form, but pinches the strike anyway.

"Is Luke Wright wearing the wrong deodorant or has he upset Colly in some way? The supposed 'top' strike bowlers continue to bowl unacceptable dross - why do they continue with Anderson? Maybe that just reflects the dearth of good fast bowlers in England - and yet five bowlers have been on without Wright getting a look-in. At Sussex we have seen what he can do, and he's a very good partnership breaker. He's underused, as Boycs has already implied"
Paul, Fremantle, Western Australia - hot under the collar, and in a hot region, in the TMS inbox

"Talk of the interloper reminds me how easy it is to get kicked out of the WACA. At the recent Aus v India. One person was kicked out for starting the mexican wave, another for the awful and predictable 'aussie, aussie, aussie' (perhaps justified), then a third for being the instigator of the 'beer snake'. Good job these rules don't apply at the Oval or I would never have seen a full match. PS Hi Sarah Canterbury/Dubai and Sarah Bucks"
Sarah, Perth, WA, in the TMS inbox

25th over - NZ 155-3
This is a tight spell from Colly, and Styris is taking no risks... until I said he was taking no risks, when he promptly opens the face and guides the ball past the Colonel (who is standing up to the stumps) and down to third man for four. A single takes Styris's score to eight.

24th over - NZ 150-3
Styris cuts Sidey down to third man for a single to bring up the 150. Taylor is happy to see off the rest of the over, but that's eight overs already bowled by Sidey - he only has two left.

"Hey, guys, it's been a while since I last signed in as I had taken a god-forsaken trip to the middle of nowhere (think in terms of the Sahara or the Gibson desert in Australia) with only camels and annoying colleagues for companionship. So, certainly the last two weeks has been a torture for me, as I not only get to miss four international cricket matches - two of which featured England losing, but to my eternal suprise, all were pretty competitve ones (didn't expect that after the Eng-NZ Twenty20 fiasco), while the last even turning out to be a freaking TIE. Unbelievable!"
Ahmed Bashe, Somaliland, in the TMS inbox

"Was wondering if anyone else is reminded of the iconic Abbott and Costello 'Who's on first base' sketch while reading the text commentary when Jamie How is on"
Murli from Singapore in the TMS inbox

23rd over - NZ 149-3
Well, the reason why we didn't see a signal for the third powerplay last over was that it hadn't been taken. After one powerplay-less over (in which the field was in anyway), the third five-over powerplay period is signalled. Colly continues with his fifth over, and implores Billy B to give Styris lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Styris opens the face and takes a single to Wright at backward point. Will he get a bowl soon?

"Hi Mark, I wonder how many of us are here in Canada following the game?"
Andy in Alberta, ex of Portsmouth
[Loads of you by the look of it - MM]

22nd over - NZ 148-3
New batsman is Scott Styris, who fends off his first ball off his ribs to fine leg for a single.

21.4 overs - WICKET - How c Mustard b Sidebottom 24 - NZ 147-3
Sidey to continue - we haven't seen a signal for the third powerplay but one would assume it has been taken as the field is in. Shouldn't one? Anyway, How slashes at one outside off-stump and the Colonel takes the catch.

21st over - NZ 147-2
Broad's off and Colly's giving himself a go from the other end for the final over of this, the second powerplay. How clips a single off his legs to midwicket. Taylor finally gets a run off the middle of the bat with a single to leg, and How singles to long-on. A fairly rapid over and just those three runs from it.

"It seems from your commentary that Colly reacts after the horse has bolted. Nothing appears to be proactive. England do not deserve to share this series. They need to have a serious look at how to play Limited Overs as per all the other countries"
Phil in Kazakhstan in the TMS inbox

20th over - NZ 144-2
A good stop by KP prevents How from taking a cheeky single off Sidey, but he then moves to 22 with a dab towards midwicket. That's the only scoring stroke from the over.

"I can't work out why I have stayed up all night to watch this performance by England. The two sides are poles apart in all areas of the game, very strange captaincy too. No second powerplay after the wicket fell and no bowling for Luke Wright who is the only one it seems that can bowl a yorker in this team"
Tim, in Amsterdam, in the TMS inbox
[Be fair to Colly, he waited for McCullum to get out before taking the second powerplay - MM]

19th over - NZ 143-2
Let's hope Broad can bowl better than he's fielded... A single takes Taylor to 10, and all his runs have come off the edge to third man! How punches an off-drive, Anderson at mid-off parries the ball and has to chase it himself as they run two. How swings at one but it flies off the edge to third man for another two. He manages a single, then Taylor, incredibly, gets another four to third man off the outside edge!

"Sitting in a bar in Houston, following cricket, but it is too depressing. You know it's not going to be better, but you can't help pressing the 'refresh' button... Here's hoping Spurs can bring home the bacon on Sunday"
Hannibal in the TMS inbox

18th over - NZ 135-2
Sidebottom returns for his second spell against Taylor, who is yet to face a ball. He edges his first ball past the solitary slip and through third man for four. There is then a one-man pitch invasion, but the interloper (not a streaker) doesn't even make it as far as the 30-yard fielding circle before he's brought down in a heavy tackle from a steward who's clearly a fan of rugby's NZ All Blacks. Sidey will be spitting feathers as Taylor gets another edge, again past slip, and Broad (who had earlier dropped a catch) lets the ball through his legs for four. I say this to him (and any fielders in the same position) - if Monty Panesar can do the long barrier, why can't you? Another tickle to third man brings Taylor a single.

"There's a bit of Ricky Ponting in How, in his technique and mannerisms"
Dermot Reeve on TMS

17th over - NZ 126-2
An impromptu drinks break is taken as new batsman Ross Taylor walks to the crease. Broad replaces Mascarenhas in the attack, and with two relatively new batsmen in, England take the second powerplay. How is watchful for the first three balls, then cover-drives a comfortable four. Then he gloriously on-drives back past the bowler for four.

"Oh deary me. If this keeps up I'll be in bed before 2am! That will give me a good 3.5 hrs of sleep before I have to take my son to (ice) hockey"
Chris Jagoe, Pickering, Ontario, in the TMS inbox

"Hey Charles and Chris! I'm in Boston and with the snow storm outside, what better way to spend Friday night following live commentary? Thanks BBC!"
Vijay in the TMS inbox

16th over - WICKET - McCullum b Collingwood 77 - NZ 118-2
McCullum prods Colly into the off side for a single, and How works one to leg. Then, McCullum hits one straight back to Colly, who dives low but sees a caught-and-bowled chance just slip clear of his outstretched fingers. Another chance put down. But at least this one doesn't cost anything as having played so well, McCullum abandons his entire technique and has an ungainly mow - he misses the ball and is clean bowled. 77 off 43 balls with six sixes and five fours.

"This is where one-sided one-day matches aren't exciting - it's a doddle for New Zealand now"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"Thanks England, I've got a five-month old daughter so sleep is at a premium... and I decided to get up in the middle of the night for this... I wish I hadn't bothered, although I guess it'll be an early finish so I could go back to bed?"
Chris in the TMS inbox

15th over - NZ 116-1
McCullum powerfully cover-drives Mascarenhas for a single, then How hits him over mid-off for four. How then clubs the next ball past Broad at mid-on, bouncing in front of him, and they run two.

"The way New Zealand are striking the ball, I may get a longer nap in before the Arsenal match than I thought I was going to"
Sean in Massachusetts, USA, in the TMS inbox

14th over - NZ 109-1
How tries to steer Colly through the covers but only finds Shah at point. The pair are rather becalmed, happy to knock a single each after McCullum's earlier assault put them squarely in the driving seat.

"I'm worried about Anderson's bowling, he goes from the sublime to the ridiculous!"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"It is becoming painfully obvious that the England attack have a distinct inability to bowl yorkers, checking the pitch maps in coming up for 60 balls we haven't bowled one yet, perhaps Luke Wright should open the bowling in future, and as a Kent fan that's a painful thing to say!"
Steve in Canterbury in the TMS inbox

"Looks like McCullum is celebrating his $700K deal with the IPL!"
Kishore, USA, in the TMS inbox

13th over - NZ 107-1
A double change - Broad off, Mascarenhas on. After McCullum takes a single, Dimi has How playing and missing before the new batsman is off the mark with a single to third man. McCullum rotates the strike again, then when How pushes a quick single, Broad's throw from mid-on misses the stumps. He might have been struggling on a direct hit.

"McCullum hasn't slogged, he's played calculated shots into the air but he's ripped the heart out of this innings"
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

"As a Kiwi with a cold in Osaka, stuck behind a desk on a Saturday please pass on my thanks to your boys for making it so easy for our openers, at least for the first few overs... it's like they're intentionally trying to cheer me up"
Adrian, Christchurch/Osaka, in the TMS inbox

12th over - NZ 103-1
New batsman is Jamie How, and Colly brings the field up. He sees off the rest of the over safely - a maiden for the skipper.

"The way NZ openers have started, the match should be over in 40 overs. Why do England selectors keep picking Anderson? His record has been abysmal in this series and yet he has played in all the ODIs"
Saumil in the TMS inbox

11.2 overs - WICKET - Ryder run out 24 - NZ 103-1
Anderson's off, not unexpectedly, and Captain Colly "takes one for the team" by introducing his own military medium into the attack. They go for a quick single, Ryder drops his bat when it jams in the pitch and fails to make his ground - he doesn't even wait for the third umpire's verdict and walks.

11th over - NZ 103-0
Colly opts not to take the second powerplay just yet - but as my colleague Jamie Lillywhite says to me, they don't just need fielders on the boundary for McCullum, they need fielders up in the stands. McCullum and Ryder dab Broad for a single apiece, then the hundred is brought up with a fierce square cut from McCullum in the manner of Robin Smith in his heyday. He then drills a single to long-off where the fielder is Anderson, who must be wanting the ground to swallow him up after that last over.

"I cannot believe how many wides England bowl compared with NZ"
Howard, Chiangmai, Thailand in the TMS inbox

10th over - NZ 95-0
Ryder removes his helmet briefly to wipe the sweat off his brow. Sidey's off and Anderson returns - so McCullum's eyes may be lighting up. Instead, he delicately guides a single to third man. Ryder knocks a single to midwicket, and McCullum brings up his half-century off only 27 balls by hoisting a six which nearly reaches the third tier of the stand at backward square leg. Just to show it wasn't a fluke, he lifts another six over point. McCullum then smashes a third successive six, this time over midwicket - it hits the top deck of the stand and bounces down. The last ball is a single into the covers - 21 off the over. Jimmy's figures? 0-45 from four overs. Colly must be kicking himself for bringing him back.

"Hey, Charles in T.O.! Nice to know I'm not the only late-night cricket fan in Ontario! Cooold, eh? BTW, Toby... er... Darling, say 'Hi' to my folks in Winchester!"
Chris Jagoe in Pickering, Ontario (-9 Celsius) in the TMS inbox

9th over - NZ 75-0
Ryder works Broad away for a couple, then steers a single to third man. McCullum rotates the strike, Ryder hits another two to the third man boundary and then he pugnaciously pulls Broad for another four through midwicket.

8th over - DROPPED CATCH - NZ 65-0
Ryder is happy to play the supporting role, dabbing Sidey for a single to point. McCullum then aims a big heave, gets a top edge and it sails to third man, but Broad puts the chance down. That's three dropped already. Not a good sign - they ran two while the ball was in the air too. McCullum aims another enormous hit, this one a hook, and that's hoisted into the stand for six. The next ball is flatter, but despatched over long-on for another maximum. He's on 45 now. 15 from the over. And a dropped catch.

"Good end to otherwise pedestrian England innings. The 'live' cricket channel I have here in Hong Kong doesn't have the England-NZ matches; and I can't access the Five Live feed. Matthew Hoggard may not be seen as one day man, but I'd feel happier if he was about to bowl rather than Anderson. If Anderson is again wayward, we can hope Luke Wright gets the ball earlier, see if his yorkers can be effective again"
Martin in Hong Kong in the TMS inbox

7th over - DROPPED CATCH - NZ 50-0
Jimmy is withdrawn from the attack after the carnage he suffered at the hands of McCullum last over, and Stuart Broad takes over. But McCullum is no less ruthless with Broad, as he ferociously bashes one through the covers for four. A more orthodox drive is stopped by Bell, who saw the last delivery flash straight past him. McCullum then tries another fierce cut shot, Alastair Cook gets both hands to it at cover point but again England can't hold on to the chance. They run one, then Ryder prods one to bring up the fifty partnership.

"Morning Mark. Just starting my last 24 hours in Dubai and will be resuming my relationship with the F5 key in the short term... have plans for a little later so will be switching to my mobile - could be an expensive few hours and not simply down to the shopping! Incidentally, am more than a little disturbed to hear that Our Test Captain still favours the shaggy look. His wife really should have a word!"
Sarah, Canterbury/Dubai, in the TMS inbox
[Don't forget, wherever you are, you can follow all the weekend's sporting action on BBC Sport via your mobile or PDA - MM]

6th over - NZ 44-0
A slower ball from Sidey is on-driven by Ryder and it's another chase for Mascarenhas, but the third umpire rules he just failed to stop it crossing the rope. Ryder tries to flick one off his legs but even though Asad Rauf signals leg-byes, that's another four.

"Sorry, Nadeem, 'long and shaggy at the back' is not a 'style', it's a 'mullet', for which there is never any excuse, not even for the Captain of England"
Don, Houston TX (where "long and shaggy at the back" is a way of life for many), in the TMS inbox

"Charles in Toronto, I would love to say that I've enjoyed the Fiji sun but have been slaving away in an office for the last 11 days... a hermit in Cumbria will have been exposed to more sun than me. On the subject of Phil Mustard, we chatted to him in a bar in Wellington after the dismal ODI, a top bloke who would definitely be at home on CBBC. He seemed very scared at the female attention he was receiving though!"
Slightly more hopeful Matt in Fiji, in the TMS inbox

5th over - NZ 36-0
McCullum rocks back and uppercuts Anderson for six over point. He then works one off his legs and it looks four all the way until a superb dive-pick-up-swivel-and-throw just inside the rope by Mascarenhas restricts them to two, and earns Dimi a clap from his occasional Hampshire team-mate KP. McCullum is clearly going after Anderson, carving him for successive off-side fours and that's 16 from the over as R4 LW listeners return.

"I'd say England need to get three wickets down for over 100 - they can't let these two hit lots of boundaries as they haven't got 340 on the board like they did in Napier"
Dermot Reeve on TMS

4th over - NZ 20-0
As Aggers on TMS is put off by the smell of Bill Frindall's crisps, McCullum square-cuts and a misfield allows them to come back for two. Sidey then has a big lbw shout against the Kiwi keeper, but it looks like the ball was swinging too much. McCullum then pierces the infield with a four through the covers, dabs a two to leg and keeps the strike with a single off the final ball.

"Yeah, Houston is great [especially the Astros baseball team - MM], but they've shut off a bunch of places since 9/11. For a wonderful day out (if you end up in that region, god forbid) check out the NASA Space Centre in Huntsville, AL. If you liked Houston, You'll love NASA Huntsville. By the way, I too wondered why they played the Coronation Street theme tune on the dismissal of Colly. Very odd"
Pete - Arlington, Texas, in the TMS inbox

3rd over - NZ 11-0
Anderson switches his field for Ryder, with most of the pitch now covered in shadow - Sidey is in a catching position at leg gully. Another wide - let's hope this isn't going to be a regular feature of the innings. Ryder works Jimmy off his legs to Wright at midwicket and they take two. And a loose delivery outside off-stump is carved through backward point for four as R4 LW listeners have the Shipping Forecast inflicted on them.

2nd over - DROPPED CATCH - NZ 4-0
The wild-haired Ryan Sidebottom takes the second over, and McCullum, batting well out of his crease, prods his first ball straight to Captain Colly at backward point. First run off the bat comes with a straight-drive past the bowler, and a smart return by Pietersen sees McCullum have to dive back into his crease at the bowler's end. Sidey then strays with a legside wide, then Ryder punches the next ball to cover where Ian Bell dives to his right, gets his fingers to it - but can't hold on and they run one. Keeper Phil "The Colonel" Mustard then stands up to the stumps to keep McCullum in his crease, and it's some tidy work behind the timbers from the Durham man. Aggers is astonished the Colonel doesn't don a helmet.

"Geoff Boycott is quite simply the best Pundit, co-commentator, summeriser call it what you like, in the whole world of sport. A LEGEND"
Simon in the TMS inbox

1st over - NZ 1-0
James Anderson takes the new ball for England, and is right on the money with the first couple of balls. The third hits Ryder on the pad, and there's a big shout but it's not good enough for Billy Bowden. Hawkeye thinks it would have hit the stumps, but the replay suggests it may have pitched a fraction outside leg. Jimmy then sends down the first wide of the match

0505: England are in their "huddle", ready in their bid to see off New Zealand and square the series. Opening up for NZ are two men who didn't really enjoy the last over at all - Jesse Ryder (who was clubbed for 22 by Mascarenhas) and Brendon McCullum (who got in a bit of a strop about England's backing up).

"The DJ is playing 'Give me a ticket for an aeroplane' so he doesn't fancy England. Great choice of tunes generally - at the Rose Bowl all we get are Gwen Stefani, Daniel Poulter and Monty Python"
Toby Darling, Winchester, in the TMS inbox
[Quite like Gwen Stefani myself. But if England had been batting at night under the lights in that last over, the DJ could have honoured Mascarenhas by playing 'Dimi Dimi Dimi, a man after midnight' - MM]

"Does anyone else think that Phil Mustard could have a future as a children's TV presenter (in the not to distant future at this rate). Just has that look about him"
Luke, Caaaardiff, in the TMS inbox

"Matt in Fiji, I'd trade spots with you any day. I'm stuck in the cold and dark Toronto area with nothing to do but study for a history midterm I have tomorrow afternoon following the England innings on a slow, uni res internet connection. I'd pay anything for the sun of Fiji"
A bored Charles, University of Toronto, in the TMS inbox

"(Re: Michael Vaughan's hair, 23rd over): Isn't it style to keep it very long and shaggy at the back nowadays?"
Nadeem Seedat, Leeds, in the TMS inbox

"Hi Mark keep up the good work! Could Mark from Loughborough (36th over) give me some insight into which Halls are best there? I am most likely going to uni there this year!"
Sandy, Coventry, in the TMS inbox

0425: A great knock by Mr Mascarenhas at the end there has really boosted England's hopes of squaring the series, just when New Zealand looked in control. I'm off for a sandwich, do pour yourself a cup or a glass of whatever you've been drinking and enjoy TMS's interval interviews.

ENGLAND INNINGS

50th over - Eng 242-7
Ryder is given the last over - and Dimi launches the first ball high into the air, nearly clearing the commentary boxes behind the bowler's arm. Take that, big Jesse! Mascarenhas then fires one to long-off and they hustle back for two. The third ball looks good but Dimi's timing has Arlo and Boycs purring as it is steered through extra cover. Dimi then leathers the fourth ball miles over cow corner for six. Another huge hit from the Hampshire man! They then try to push for two off the fifth ball when Broad turns blind, the diving McCullum completely demolishes the stumps and is he out? Third ump is consulted and he's just in. Dimi to face the last ball, having scored 20 off the first five. Again, they push for two and a misfield by Taylor allows it. A fabulous last over has brought 22 runs, and Mascarenhas walks off undefeated on 29 not out off 12 balls. Well, I asked for a six-hitting cameo and got one!

49th over - Eng 220-7
Dimi is facing Mills - who's not as easy to bash out of the park as Yuvraj Singh and Jeetan Patel have been for the Hampshire man. He digs out a yorker for a single. The next ball is a low full-toss which Broad hoists past midwicket for four. Broad can only on-drive the third ball for a single to long-on. Dimi punches the next one to long-off for one. Broad on-drives to wide mid-on for a single. The last ball is a low full-toss but Mascarenhas can only find the fielder at long-off for a single. Mills finishes with 4-36 (with two maidens) from his 10 overs, and Boycs is already tipping him for man of the match.

48th over - Eng 211-7
Who to bowl? It's still Ryder - and Broad manages a single off the first ball. Dimi finally gets to face. His first ball is off-driven and they run two to long-off. The next ball is right up in the blockhole and he can only dab it for one. Broad then has to fend off a perfect yorker. Ryder then sends down a no-ball, giving Broad a free hit. The Kiwis aren't allowed to move the field, and Billy Bowden is being very strict with them here. What can Broad do? The ball is full length and straight, Broad can only straight-drive for one. Mascarenhas aims a big (straight) hit but can only run a single to long-on. Aggers reveals that during the interval, on TMS he will be talking to (in this order) Freddie Flintoff, Nathan Astle and the England women's side's Ashes heroines Charlotte Edwards and Isa Guha.

47th over - Eng 202-7
Mascarenhas still hasn't faced a ball - new batsman Stuart Broad takes strike for the final ball of the over and he off-drives for a single so he'll face the next over.

46.5 overs - WICKET - Shah c McCullum b Mills 29 - Eng 201-7
Wright's shown the way - time for a six-hitting cameo from Dimitri Mascarenhas? He's not facing yet as they ran on the catch, and Shah blasts Mills back past the stumps for four. Shah then fences at one and is smartly caught behind by the helmeted McCullum.

46.2 overs - WICKET - Wright c Taylor b Mills 47 - Eng 197-6
A change of bowling as Patel's off and paceman Kyle Mills will presumably bowl his last two overs now. Keeper McCullum is standing up, but Wright blasts another six over extra cover with a lot of bottom hand. Suddenly, he's got 47. He goes for the big one to bring up his half-century, but miscues it and it it is safely caught by Taylor at long-off. 47 off 40 balls with four sixes from the Sussex lad.

46th over - Eng 191-5
Ryder continues for his third over, and Shah squeezes a single to extra cover to bring up the fifty partnership. Wright prods a single to leg, then Shah angles the bat to loft one down to long leg for another single. Wright steps across his stumps looking for an "Ashraful"-style flick to fine leg, but gets a top edge over the keeper for four. A more orthodox blast off the next ball brings a fairly flat six over cover point. A single completes a better over for England - 14 off the over from big Jesse.

45th over - Eng 177-5
Wright and Shah both nudge singles to the midwicket/mid-on area, then the Kiwis are fortunate as a Styris misfield only yields a single to Wright. Shah prods forward into the off side for a single, then Wright on-drives to mid-on. Patel has a lovely high action, and Shah dabs the sixth single of the over.

"That last Ryder over was brilliantly executed - the first five balls were all up in the blockhole. It's not rocket science - if you don't give them the length, they can't hit it"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

44th over - Eng 171-5
Will Wright attack Ryder? The first two balls are driven straight back to the bowler for "dots", he can't get the third away either and he slashes at the fourth down the leg side. Vettori's diving stop prevents a run off the fifth ball, and Wright finally gets the ball off the square with a single to point off the sixth.

43rd over - Eng 170-5
Wright and Shah push a single each before Wright goes for the big one again, hoisting Patel over cow corner for six towards the building site - the ball lands 20 yards over the boundary. The next three balls are right in the blockhole, but at least Wright gets the last one away to keep the strike.

"This may be dull to watch live but imagine how I'm feeling... stuck in an office, watching local Fijian boys toss a rugby ball about from my window with the turquoise sea behind them and the blazing sun beating down. All I have to occupy me is following this mind-numbing innings in the hope that England can rack up a decent total!
Not so hopeful Matt in Suva, Fiji, in the TMS inbox

42nd over - Eng 161-5
New Zealand turn to their seventh bowler, burly opener Jesse Ryder, who bowls a bit of medium pace and captured two wickets in two balls in the last ODI. Shah and Wright take two singles each from the over, but the Kiwis will be happy with that at this stage.

"Collingwood will already be thinking 'I wish I'd played Graeme Swann on this pitch' as England haven't got a frontline spinner unless they throw the ball to Shah or Pietersen"
Former Warwickshire, Sussex and England all-rounder Dermot Reeve on TMS

41st over - Eng 157-5
Patel continues for his sixth over. The batsmen take three singles between them, while Bryan Waddle on TMS notices that Wright is backing up very far. No boundaries though.

"Thanks for that Chris Martin clip (28th over), it reminds me of my batting. My bowling was in the style of Steve Harmison, as in THAT first ball (Ashes 06-07)"
Phil in the TMS inbox

40th over - Eng 154-5
Shah punches one, aiming back past the bowler but it rears up and hits non-striker Wright in the ribs. Shah then times one beautifully as he guides a loose delivery past square leg for a first-bounce four which brings up England's 150. Shah then takes the strike again with a cut to backward point for a single.

"Is it me or does the shiny black NZ kit look like some PVC fetishist gear? What are they gonna come out to bat in? Gimp-masks?"
Matt, Kent, in the TMS inbox

39th over - Eng 149-5
After that six from Wright in the last over, Patel has just the minimum four fielders in the circle, enabling the Sussex man to dab a single. A Shah on-drive also brings one run, Wright tips-and-runs for another quick single and then Shah pinches the strike with another.

"Think we can say goodbye to this one as well unless someone can start swinging the willow with a bit of passion!"
Tommy in Liverpool, via text on 81111
[To be fair to Tommy, this was sent before Wright's huge six - MM]

38th over - Eng 145-5
Arlo White on TMS reveals he's tipping Chennai (formerly Madras) to win the IPL, while Styris returns to the attack and Wright absolutely launches him over midwicket for six. That would have gone out of the ground at a lot of English county grounds, the undoubted shot of the day. He then rotates the strike with a single, while the ground on the building site is now being watered by a truck in a bid to stop the dust blowing across the pitch. Shah scampers two with an off-drive, while New Zealand's fielders momentarily resemble a troupe of tumbling acrobats as Vettori and two of this team-mates all try to shy at the stumps mid-dive.

37th over - Eng 136-5
Wright on-drives Patel for four to get off the mark as it just evades the mid-on fielder. Wright then square-cuts for a single, and two more singles are added as Patel's previously economical figures are rather dented.

"Hi Mark! I'm supposed to be getting a proposal together for a post-doc position at NASA, but being able to watch a cricket match for once has taken temporary priority! Hoping Colly can get some runs in so that NZ have a decent total to chase. Oh and by the way, I see you have an icon for text messages. Are we emailers to get one too? Keep up the good work!"
Pete, Arlington, Texas, in the TMS inbox
[I've visited NASA in Houston and it was great fun. Our cricket "gaffer" Paul Grunill was dead jealous as he's a bit of a NASA devotee - MM]

36th over - Eng 129-5
Vettori stays on for his last over. Shah pushes forward and is sent back by Wright. Shah dives back into his ground, a direct hit would have got him but Ross Taylor's throw is just wide and McCullum whips the bails off but the third umpire, he say "not out". Vettori's final over is a maiden, he finishes with 2-28.

"Keeping the rest of Halls awake with sound of TMS. Cider and crisps combination to try to keep me awake for exam results and TMS but if England keep losing wickets like this it won't be needed"
Mark, Loughborough, in the TMS inbox

35th over - Eng 129-5
As new batsman Luke Wright walks out, a drinks interval is taken, and a young New Zealand fan, acting as mascot, gets to run on the pitch to present the "new" (old) ball to the umpires - remember, the ball is changed after 34 overs in ODIs these days. (The mascot's father built Nathan Astle's house, wouldn't you know). When we resume, Shah plays and misses at Patel, while Arlo White on TMS teases Nathan Astle for playing in the "rebel" Indian Cricket League, dubbing it "the naughty boys' league". Shah manages a single, while Wright is cautious as just that one run is taken from the over.

34th over - WICKET - Collingwood st McCullum b Vettori 14 - Eng 128-5
Vettori continues for his ninth over, and it's still fairly pedestrian by England as the singles continue to flow but there hasn't been a boundary since the 25th over. Vettori then tempts Colly forward, the skipper overbalances and is smartly stumped by McCullum. Beautifully bowled by Vettori. Bizarrely, the "Coronation Street" theme tune is played over the PA as he departs.

33rd over - Eng 125-4
Colly works Patel to midwicket for a single, while Luke Wright (next in) is still hunched over the laptop he was looking at in the second over of the day. The way Shah stands almost perfectly still at the crease is a joy to watch, and he knocks another single to third man. Colly straight-drives, Patel dives to deflect the ball onto the stumps but non-striker Shah was in his ground.

32nd over - Eng 123-4
After Colly takes a single, Vettori directs his field and brings seven men into the circle for new batsman Shah. Just two more singles accrue from the over.

"It astounds me that Monty Panesar's not playing here, as you do need variety in the one-day game. England's attack is fairly similar and a left-arm spinner adds huge variety"
Nathan Astle in the TMS inbox

"Perhaps Sean from Massachusetts (16th over) would find a female cricket companion if he did not refer to women as 'chicks', or going on the contributors to the coverage he should look for a Sarah"
Sarah, Perth, WA, in the TMS inbox

31st over - Eng 120-3
The batsmen ran on the catch, so Colly off-drives for a single before new batsman Owais Shah can take strike. He can't get Patel away for the remaining three balls.

30.2 overs - WICKET - Pietersen c Ryder b Patel 39 - Eng 119-3
Time for spin from both ends as off-spinner Jeetan Patel gets a chance to turn his arm over, having spent most of the series as a specialist fielder (whether playing in the side or coming on as 12th man). Colly nudges his first ball for a single. KP then goes for a big heave towards the building site and is well caught at midwicket by the burly Jesse Ryder. KP is clearly absolutely livid and rips his gloves off angrily.

"Dear Mr MM, England is looking cramped and unimaginative. KP will therefore do something exciting but daft in a minute. By the way, Aggers is sounding a bit world-weary (or is that because of his argy-bargy with Geoff Boycott)? If us text-feeders clubbed together in a commentators auction, do you think we might raise enough money for a bottle or two of lovely Kiwi Sauvignon to raise his spirits?"
Victoria, Ealing, UK, in the TMS inbox

30th over - Eng 118-3
KP sweeps Vettori for a single to midwicket, and both Vettori and Oram are shuffling their fields nearly every ball. Colly heaves one to midwicket where Mills boosts his "Boundary Fox" credentials with a superb diving stop and they can only run two. Colly dabs a single, and even KP looks a little becalmed here. Vettori has 1-22 from seven overs.

29th over - Eng 114-3
It's still Oram, and Collingwood is unable to get him away too easily. Just a single apiece for the England pair off the first four balls, while a smart stop by Taylor at midwicket denies the England skipper off the fifth and he's unable to work a slower ball away off the final delivery. NZ have slowed the scoring rate right down here.

"Six inches of snow here in Massachusetts. Are Buffalo Wings proper fare for cricket?"
Doug in Massachusetts, USA, in the TMS inbox

28th over - Eng 112-3
Colly nudges Vettori for a single, KP can only manage a single to third man. Colly then has to hurry through for a quick single but makes his ground.

"This is Chris Martin's 20th ODI. He had the opportunity to bat in seven of these and has managed a total of eight runs. Wouldn't it be lovely if this match went to the wire and a Kiwi victory depended on this lovely character having to score two runs off the last four balls?"
Duncan, USA, in the TMS inbox

27th over - Eng 109-3
Oram returns in place of Styris - and "Two-Metre Peter" Fulton is on as a sub fielder for Styris. KP on-drives for a single, and Colly does likewise as the wind is occasionally threatening to dislodge the bails on its own.

"For some reason, Fort Collins, Colorado, has been chosen as the test market in the US for showing the Stanford 20/20 tournament from the Caribbean. For the last month patrons at several Old Town watering holes have been trying to adjust to the bouncy ball, flat bat, 360 degree hitting and scores in triple figures, but I think the real question on everones' minds is 'Why us?'. Oh yes, come on England!"
Jon, Fort Collins, in the TMS inbox

26th over - Eng 107-3
Cook's dismissal brings Captain Colly to the crease, and he's been in pretty good nick in this series, hitting plenty of sixes and scoring lots of runs at a rapid rate. (There, if that's not a commentator's curse, I don't know what is). He turns his first ball to midwicket for a single, and Pietersen takes his score to 35 with a single.

"I'm the only pom, working in New Zealand watching cricket on the net with 30 Kiwis. give me something to smile about England after that shocker of a draw!"
Jon Roberts in the TMS inbox

25.1 overs - WICKET - Cook lbw b Vettori 42 - Eng 105-3
Cook tries to work Vettori to leg but is trapped in front by one that straightens. The TMS crew think it would have hit leg stump.

25th over - Eng 105-2
KP plays and misses at Styris and the Black Caps have a stumping appeal turned down. Pietersen then angles one successfully through point and they come back for the second. KP, playing from the crease, then straight-drives for four to bring England up to three figures. Another straight-drive is less well timed and only brings a single, but Cook pinches the strike with a single of his own.

24th over - Eng 97-2
Gasps as Cook hits Vettori into the air - but it falls just short of the man at short midwicket and they run a single. Vettori, as ever, is mixing up his pace well, KP sweeps him but can only manage a single. Cook then draws an lbw appeal but Asad Rauf is unmoved as the Essex man had taken a big stride down the pitch.

"At around 11pm, I was wondering whether I'd be able to stay awake for the start, let alone the finish. It's ok though, I found that having to clean up my girlfriend's red wine vomit on returning from the pub helped enormously"
Matt, Kent, via text on 81111

23rd over - Eng 95-2
THE MONTSTER IS SPOTTED! Some of England's Test players not in the ODI squad have now arrived in New Zealand, and are watching from a glass-fronted box at the back of one of the stands. Monty Panesar is there, together with Andrew Strauss, and Test skipper Michael Vaughan clearly hasn't had a haircut for a long time - it's very long and shaggy at the back. Back on the pitch, another Cook single off Styris precedes a Pietersen bash for two towards long-on, although Boycs on TMS thinks they could (and should) have run three. KP then paddles a single, and the pair happily push singles - seven runs off the over.

22nd over - Eng 88-2
KP sweeps Vettori for a single, Cook is still having trouble with placement but manages a single of his own. Just two from the over.

"I think the batting order could be fluid - if Mustard gets out early, you could put Pietersen in before Bell"
"Or, if Mustard gets out, you send Luke Wright in. But if Cook goes, send Bell in"
Arlo White and Geoff Boycott on TMS

21st over - Eng 86-2
Styris is bowling round the wicket to the left-handed Cook, who nudges a single. "The Penguin" then bowls over the wicket to the right-handed KP, who carefully defends before pushing the last ball of the over to midwicket for a singleton.

"I'm losing the will to live as I sit in the 24-hour computer labs writing my dissertation due Monday... aahhh! The only thing keeping me going is the cricket... come on Colly and the boys"
Fergus, student in Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

20th over - Eng 84-2
KP punches Vettori through extra cover for four, leaving the Kiwi captain to shuffle his field. Pietersen then straight-drives and Vettori sticks out his foot to block the ball. KP tickles a single to leg to take his score to 20, Cook dabs one to bring his to 35. That's it for the fielding restrictions.

"The man claiming to be Simon from Edinburgh (0058) is an impostor. I am the true Simon from Edinburgh"
Simon, Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

19th over - Eng 78-2
Pietersen digs out a yorker from Styris, while Dermot Reeve entertains the TMS box with his Geoff Boycott impression. Styris is rapidly through his over, but only three singles are possible.

"I see they are doing free hits for no balls in ODIs, how long have they been doing that? I know they did in Twenty20s but 50 overs?!"
Daniel in the TMS inbox
[It was introduced in late September last year - MM]

18th over - Eng 75-2
It's a double change in the bowling as captain Daniel Vettori's orthodox slow left-arm spin replaces Oram's medium pace. Vettori tosses it up invitingly to KP, who just prods a single towards midwicket. Cook can only work a short ball straight to Ross Taylor, who is in a "shortstop"-style position on the leg side, but then works the next ball to backward square leg for one. KP nudges a single to keep the strike.

"Cracking finish to Barbados against Trinidad and Tobago - comedy last few overs, dropped catches, wickets, boundaries and T&T come out on top by five runs. Great fun. Right! Bring on England"
Mike (in St Kitts) in the TMS inbox

"Hopefully I'll see a few boundaries before I go to work at 5am"
Stu in the TMS inbox

17th over - Eng 72-2
Mills takes a breather after eight impressive overs (and figures of 8-2-16-2) and it's time for Scott Styris and his dibbly-dobbly medium pace. Another misfield earns KP a single, while Aggers shows off his "aviator's watch" to TMS summariser Dermot Reeve. The England pair rotate the strike with a couple more singles, but that's only three runs from Styris's first over.

"As it was (see 12th over), I chose Cook. Make that the 4p in my betting account. Issues, I would say"
Eugene, Crawley, via text on 81111

16th over - Eng 69-2
Umpire Rauf signals the third powerplay, for which NZ can have three fielders outside the circle. Cook singles to point, then KP flicks Oram through wide mid-on for four and runs another quick single off the next ball. Cook rotates the strike, then Pietersen drills one towards Martin at mid-off for a single but the Kiwi paceman completely fails to gather the ball and England run another two runs.

"Watching cricket online in America, have a cat draped over me, England is playing well so far and Arsenal play at 7.45 east coast time. Can life get any better? (Thinks) Yeah, I could have a chick here with me"
Sean in Massachusetts, USA, in the TMS inbox

"Having just watched the English women win the Ashes here in Aus, I reckon they looked pretty hot in the tight whites (not sure about the froggie hoodies), definitely a lot nicer sight than David Boon bending over in the slips. They are playing five ODIs in Christchurch and would love some Barmy Army support"
Will in the TMS inbox

15th over - Eng 59-2
New batsman is Kevin Pietersen, who is in his crease with keeper McCullum standing up to Mills, who's in his eighth over and is bowling very economically into the wind. KP flicks a slower ball to mid-on and they run a quick single. Cook executes his signature "single to midwicket off his legs" stroke.

"Re, Joshua, 12th over. As a student, its last night's reheated pizza for me. Collingwood to pull England out of a hole again"
Alex, Nottingham, in the TMS inbox
[Make sure you stay awake then - eating reheated pizza before going to bed when I was a student always gave me surreal dreams - MM]

"Cook and Bell are lovely batsmen, but I'm always uneasy about watching them bat together in one-day cricket. They've both got one 'get-out-of-jail' stroke, and New Zealand know it. The outfield's quick and this could be a high-scoring game"
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

14.1 overs - WICKET - Bell c Flynn b Mills 24 - Eng 57-2
Bell lofts Mills towards long-off and it falls straight down the throat of debutant Flynn - one of only two permitted boundary fielders during this second powerplay. Drat.

14th over - Eng 57-1
Bell carves a single past gully, and Cook works another one off his legs. (I'm going to have to find novel ways of saying that, by the look of this innings). Bell pulls a single to midwicket, and Cook cuts loose, pulling a ball short of a length towards the building site for four to bring up England's fifty and then opening the face to guide a four to the vacant backward point boundary. A profitable over for England.

"Mark, just drank the wife's good bottle of wine as a warm up for the cricket. Do I a) plead ignorance 'what bottle of wine my love' or b) own up and face the music or c) carry on through and get out pre drinks for Newcastle getting stuffed by Man U before she gets up. Help before my liver makes the choice for me"
Treebs, Newcastle, via text on 81111

13th over - Eng 46-1
Mills continues for his seventh over, and keeps it tight against Cook early on. McCullum stands up to the stumps to keep the Essex man in his crease, but he works Mills to leg for a single. Bell pinches the strike with a single of his own.

"Why are the sightscreens black just like the New Zealand kit would England players just see a head arms and trainers?? We love the Colonel!"
Ben, via text on 81111 [Seeing the white ball clearly is the main object of the exercise! MM]

12th over - Eng 44-1
Cook knocks Oram for a single, then Bell lofts one - safely - towards cow corner and they run two. Bell then straight-drives, the ball just evades captain Vettori and shoots away for four.

"I'm here trying to decide who's going to be next batter out, in a bid to improve the 8p in my betting account. Issues, would you say?"
Eugene, Crawley, via text on 81111

"Morning all, here's hoping for a Collingwood double century and a Luke Wright five-for. Yes, I'm being a just a tad unrealistic but never stop believing, eh? Also, what do people use as sustenance during these late night sessions? It's my first time, being that it's such an important game, and I've opted for a 24-pack of Pepsi Max and a 1kg bag of sugar!! Not the healthiest of options I suppose..."
Joshua in the TMS inbox

11th over - Eng 37-1
Billy Bowden furiously wheels his arm to signal the second powerplay in the manner of a Mick Channon goal celebration. His arm is back in action off the first ball of Mills' over as Bell trots through for a leg bye - while Cook is getting most of his runs off his legs, tapping another single. Bell walks down the track, Mills digs it in short and Bell fences and misses with a baseball-like cross-batted swing. Another improvised stroke brings a single to mid-on, and Cook carves another single to Patel who is today's "Boundary Fox" on the midwicket fence.

"Just got in, is it worth pulling an allnighter or just waking up for the chase?"
Sarah, Bucks, in the TMS inbox
[Stick with it, it's the last England competitive international game until 5 March! MM]

10th over - Eng 33-1
Change of bowling for the last over of the first powerplay - Martin's off and the lanky Jacob Oram comes on with some medium pace. Cook is careful in defence and we have a second successive maiden.

"In response to Simon from Edinburgh, my mum gave up on the European Cup final of 1999 to watch that same medical drama. About 15 minutes from the end. I've not let her forget it and I'm not even a Manchester United fan. As for this bit of sporting action, I predict a successful run chase for New Zealand but with less than two overs to spare. But that's pure wild guesswork"
'Shiny' David Howell, Southampton, in the TMS inbox

"Mark White in the Cayman Islands has whetted our appetite. You must let us know how Barbados get on with their reply"
Peter Girling, Kissimmee, Florida, in the TMS inbox
[And I've been to Kissimmee too - MM]

"Lancaster Park has lost a bit of its feel as a cricket ground, as there are some huge stands going up for the Rugby World Cup - we're struggling for a good cricket arena in Christchurch"
Nathan Astle on TMS

9th over - Eng 33-1
Cook defends a good ball from Mills, and is then hit high on the pad. Mills appeals for lbw, Billy Bowden is unmoved and signals a leg-bye as they trot through. Bell sees off the rest of the over, and with only that leg-bye taken, it's a second maiden over for Mills.

"With reference to digging up the Taunton ground, may I offer, as a Sussex fan, Matt Priory"
Guarin in the TMS inbox

"I can tell this is going to a long day of sport from the BBC, Cricket, Football Focus, Rugby, Fooball on local radio (Hyde v Worcester), Rugby, more Rugby, MOTD... good job i've got the coffee stockpiled! Come on England!"
Anthony, Exiled in Wales, in the TMS inbox
[And you can follow it here on BBC Sport all day - MM]

"I have slept all day just so i can wake up and listen to your commentry all night long! Sat here with a few cans of lager and crisps, with England about to score lots of runs. What more could you want!"
Lloyd White, England, in the TMS inbox

8th over - Eng 32-1
Cook is looking good off his legs, flicking Martin for four through midwicket and then pushing a single to square leg. Martin then pulls out of his delivery stride mid-leap, and gets an encouraging word from captain Daniel Vettori, who has forsaken his usual studenty stubble look and is clean-shaven today. A good-looking cover drive from Bell brings another four, and a slightly streakier square-drive also crosses the rope.

"Why, oh why, do human beings need to sleep? I'm going to stay with this for as long as I can, but like that wee weak creature on Dead Ringers, I doubt I'll make it through the night. But please, England, give me a happy awakening in the morning"
David Wallace (Toledo, Spain), in the TMS inbox

"I'm a Brummy at work in Christchurch wishing on the England team, there is a real buzz around the place today, let's hope we get the win"
Ben Gorst, Brummy in Christchurch, in the TMS inbox

7th over - Eng 19-1
Bell tries to hit Mills over the top, but miscues it through midwicket for a single. Cook caresses one to wide mid-on, and ex-NZ all-rounder Nathan Astle replaces Boycs in the TMS summariser's chair. The camera alights on the England women's team, fresh from their Ashes victory over Australia, who are all sat in the crowd wearing identical white-and-dark-blue hooped tops. I'm afraid my instinctive reaction to their apparel was that if they all donned berets, they'd make very good French onion-sellers. Is that ungallant of me? Bell then succeeds with his lofted drive against Mills, which disappears for four.

6th over - Eng 13-1
After some spectators are moved from behind the bowler's arm, we have the first boundary of the innings as Cook works Martin off his legs for four. Martin then fizzes one past Cook's outside edge and into the arms of keeper McCullum, who was signed by Kolkata (Calcutta) for a tasty $700,000 in the Indian Premier League auction this week. Arlo White on TMS reveals that McCullum accepted a lower "reserve price" in the hope of sparking a bidding war - and did well out of it.

"Will be following the England/NZ match on the internet, since local TV is covering the Stanford 20/20 semi-final between Barbados & Trinidad. Trinidad all out for 120 in the 20th over, which was a surprise. Barbados just started its reply. But the sooner this is over, the sooner we should switch TV coverage to the England game!"
Mark White in the Cayman Islands
[I visited Grand Cayman very briefly last year, went to a great beach - MM]

"Morning/afternoon Mark! I'm a Pom who resides in Wellington, NZ but am currently working in Fiji. I'll be following the action via the BBC website as Fiji television's obsession with the oval ball doesn't allow any cricket coverage! C'mon England, let me hold my head up high when I return to NZ soil next week and give those 'choker' Kiwis something to think about!"
Ever Hopeful Matt in Suva, Fiji, in the TMS inbox

5th over - Eng 9-1
Cook flicks Mills off his legs for a gentle single, and Bell remains watchful as that's the only scoring stroke from the over.

"In celebration of Somerset having to dig up graves during redevelopment work on their Taunton ground, how about an XI of ghostly cricketers?
Marcus Fleshcothick
Adam Gilcrypt
Ken Buryington
Tom Graveney
Greg Chapel
Javed Mi-undead
Kapil Death
John Embalmery
Steve Macoffin
Derek Undertaker
Jeff Tombson"
Jonathan Liew in the TMS inbox

"Waiting for exam results to come online... so TMS keep me amused and England try keep me relatively stress free!"
Mark, Loughborough, in the TMS inbox

4th over - Eng 8-1
It takes a while for the sightscreen to be adjusted as Martin (having bowled round the wicket to the left-handed Colonel) goes back over the wicket. When it's fixed, Bell knocks a no-ball just over the tall Oram at backward point for a single, and England now have a free hit. The "free hit" ball is a low full-toss but they can only manage a single as a cloud of dust blows across the ground from the building site, where TMS scorer Bill Frindall compared the sight of some towering mechanical diggers to Triffids.

"Enjoy your late night, Mark. I'm going sleep now to a lovely comfy bed with a warm duvet and two fluffly pillows"
Mr Anon Y Mous in the TMS inbox

"This match better go the distance, as I have to get some kip shortly, and I'd quite like to catch the run chase when I get up. What do you think the chances are that it'll be as thrilling as the last ODI?"
Jordan (in London) in the TMS inbox

"Just shared three bottles of a particulary nice Rioja with my brothers in honour of one of our birthdays and now very much looking forward to the cricket - game on!"
Gareth Fuller in the TMS inbox

Hey Mark, I am in the coldest place on earth with no normal sports on TV. I wouldn't mind swapping places with you and watch cricket through the night. Are you game?"
Ravi Shankar, Ottawa, in the TMS inbox
[I'll stick it out here I think - MM]

3rd over - Eng 5-1
The batsmen crossed on the catch, so Cook sees off the over, which is a wicket maiden for Mills.

"You don't have to slog to be successful. Gilchrist is an exceptional player but he is not a slogger, and Jayasuriya doesn't slog"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

2.2 overs - WICKET - Mustard c How b Mills 2 - Eng 5-1
Mustard goes for a big hit, it skies in the air and How takes an easy catch over his shoulder just outside the circle.

"Get Monty here, I like slow left-armers bowling in one-day cricket as most batsmen are right-handed"
"The spinner's place in the one-day team certainly seems up for grabs, as Swann's been left out again"
Geoff Boycott and Jonathan Agnew on TMS

2nd over - Eng 5-0
England's running between the wickets is still leaving a bit to be desired. A mix-up sees the Colonel sent back from Chris Martin's first ball, while the pair only just make their ground next ball from a quick-run single. Cook then takes two and nearly benefits from an overthrow On the England balcony, Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright are hunched over a laptop - if you're logged on to us here at BBC Sport, KP, send us an e-mail (tms@bbc.co.uk) and we'll give you an extra-special shout in the live text.

"After the trials and tribulations of the first four games, I'd bet Paul Collingwood, on the baclony looking down on the ground feels just the same way as Eugene de Rastignac at the end of Balzac's Le Pere Goriot who looks down from the cemetery over the Paris landscape, and pronounces solemnly 'A nous deux maintenenant'"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox

1st over - Eng 2-0
Kyle Mills takes the new ball as usual. Nearly half the ground is a building site and many of the remaining seats are empty at this stage. Cook nudges the first ball for a single to leg, and Mustard flashes and misses at the second. The Colonel is off the mark with a drilled single to the midwicket boundary.

0058: With a group of children forming a guard of honour with both teams' flags, umps Rauf and Bowden enter the field of play in bright red shirts, followed by the Kiwi fielders and England openers Cook and Mustard. Even better news from the TMS box is that the pies have arrived, and Aggers notes that today's guest summariser Nathan Astle (the ex-NZ all-rounder) is already tucking in. Let's get ready to rumble (and I'm not talking about the pies now).

"It's good to have six, seven or even eight bowling options in the side now as Owais can bowl his off-spin"
England captain Paul Collingwood speaks to TMS reporter Alison Mitchell

"I'm thoroughly expecting another England loss tonight, so I've got old series of a well known American medical drama which used to star George Clooney to entertain me throughout the inevitable depression of defeat. On the matter of England's selection, there is plenty to be said for continuity, but I think Swann should have been given a chance ahead of either Dimi or Wright"
Simon, Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

"Morning Mark, been looking forward to this, the excitement is at fever pitch for me so have pulled a late work shift to stay awake to follow your spiel. Going to have to keep it down as an old girl lives upstairs who can hear a pin drop on thick carpet"
David, Fordingbridge, in the TMS inbox

"The pitch here is a drop-in pitch - they've had a rugby game and a pop concert here since the last cricket match"
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS

"England got out of jail when they brought Luke Wright on to bowl that last over in the last game. Nine times out of 10, that wouldn't work. If they trust him to bowl, they ought to bowl him earlier in the game"
Former Yorkshire and England opener Geoff Boycott on TMS

0045: Here are the full teams:

New Zealand: Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

England: Alastair Cook, Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (capt), Owais Shah, Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson.

Umpires are Pakistan's Asad Rauf and NZ's Billy Bowden. Evan Watkin is on TV replays, Dave Quested is reserve umpire, Alan Hurst is match referee and my match-report wing-man today is Jamie Lillywhite.

0040: As ever, I'll be needing your help to see me (and England) through the night - e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), or text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word). Take a leaf out of Mark Tallentire's book...

"Morning Mark! All ready to see England level the series? I'm feeling confident, our batting lineup should have gained a lot of confidence from tuesday, and if our bowling line-up can tighten up, we'll win this"
Mark Tallentire in the TMS inbox

0036: Looking at those team changes in more details, it looks like "Two-Metre Peter" Fulton has paid the price for scoring just five runs in three innings, while Daniel Flynn is making his ODI debut after featuring in the Twenty20s. Patel's inclusion gives the Kiwis two front-line spinners - which is two more than England have, with BBC Sport columnist Graeme Swann perhaps unlucky to have played just two of the five games.

0033:TOSS NEWS: New Zealand have won the toss and will field first. Captain Daniel Vettori wants to play to their strengths, and that means chasing down totals.

England captain Paul Collingwood admits they would probably have fielded first as well.

0025: Morning, everyone - well, after two Twenty20s, four ODIs and a thrilling tied match last time out, it's all systems go for the final one-dayer between New Zealand and England before the Test series starts in early March.