New Zealand’s Kane Williamson was happy to prove elegance and timing still had a place when batting in one-day international cricket with a brilliant century in a three-wicket win over England on Sunday.

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Victory at the Rose Bowl saw World Cup finalists New Zealand go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

The Black Caps, chasing 303 for victory, were wobbling at 36 for two. But a New Zealand record third-wicket stand of 206 between Williamson (118) and Ross Taylor (110), ultimately proved decisive.

There have long been anguished debates about whether advances in bat technology and modern-day power-hitting are making ODI cricket too much of a batsmen’s game. But the 24-year-old Williamson proved the traditional virtues of touch and timing remain effective in white-ball cricket.

 

Indeed his final scoring shot, in a sublime 113-ball innings which included 12 fours, was a seemingly effortless straight six off David Willey. “I don’t think aggressive has to mean slogging or hitting the ball 150 metres,” said man-ofthe- match Williamson, who also bowled England captain Eoin Morgan for 71 with his off-spin.

“I think the style of play is what you want to achieve in an innings and the runs you want to get and that dictates who’s picked,” added Williamson following his seventh hundred in 77 matches at this level.

 

Meanwhile, Morgan was not worried by the fact England failed to bat out their overs, saying it was a consequence of a new approach that saw them score a national record 408 for nine in their 210-run win in the series opener at Edgbaston.

By making 302, Morgan’s side became the first England team to pass 300 in three successive ODIs and the former Ireland international was keen for them to retain their attacking intent.

 

“We’ve come a long way in the last three games, scoring 300 plus in each of them – which is a huge achievement and a big turnaround.

“I want the guys to continue with that mind-set, and not worry about batting 50 overs,” added the former Ireland international, who topscored in an England innings where both Ben Stokes (68) and Joe Root (54) also passed fifty.

“I think that makes guys hesitate and question their natural way of playing. I don’t want that to happen.”