England top order woes continue as NZ complete ODI sweep

New Zealand skittled England's top order on their way to a nervy two-wicket win in the third one-day international on Saturday to sweep the series 3-0 and send the tourists off to Australia with some concerns about their batting.

After New Zealand won the toss, Blair Tickner (4-64) and Jacob Duffy (3-56) spearheaded a fine display of swing bowling at Wellington Stadium to dismiss England for 222 in the 41st over.

The chase, however, was far from straightforward, especially after Devon Conway and Tom Latham both had the misfortune to be run out by deflections off the hands of the bowler.

Daryl Mitchell's runs had steered the hosts to their victories in Tauranga and Hamilton and when he departed for 44 to leave his team still 27 runs from their target on 196-8, the English scented an unlikely victory.

Tickner, who made 18 not out, and Zak Foulkes, who finished unbeaten on 14, held their nerves to get the Black Caps across the line and secure New Zealand a 25th win in their last 27 completed ODIs on home soil.

"The most pleasing thing is different guys stepping up at different times throughout every chase," said New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner.

"But credit to the England bowlers, they never made it easy throughout all three games."

Earlier, Duffy and Foulkes (2-27) bowled beautifully as Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell - all members of England's Ashes squad - were removed in little more than 10 overs to leave the visitors reeling on 44-5.

Jos Buttler and Sam Curran stopped the rot with a partnership of 53 before Tickner removed them both and it was left to two more bowlers in Brydon Carse, who made 36, and Jamie Overton to show the batters the way with another stand of 58.

In-form Overton