What the English papers said: 'The blitzkrieg continued'

The English batsmen carved apart the New Zealand attack with ease. Photo / Getty

England chased down a mammoth 350 with ease in this morning's fourth one-day international, levelling the series at 2-2 ahead of Saturday's decider. Needless to say, the local press were rather glowing of their team's achievements.

The Guardian - Morgan and Root pulverise New Zealand with fine centuries

The blitzkrieg continued at Trent Bridge. There was seldom any shelter for bowlers and this time it was the English batsmen who enjoyed themselves the most. England had never chased more than 295 successfully in this country - against Pakistan in 2010 - but here they sped to their target of 350 with barely a tremor and with seven wickets and six overs to spare.

The critical innings were delivered by Englishmen unrecognisable from the World Cup. Alex Hales smashed 67 from 38 balls at the top of the order. At one point he hit 45 runs from 12 balls despite there being a rain break between those two overs. With Jason Roy a willing ally, 100 runs were added for the first wicket in 10.4 overs. Hales flicked off his hip and the ball kept sailing deep into packed stands.

But even Hales would be overshadowed as Eoin Morgan cracked 113 from 82 balls, which meant England's pursuit was incredibly stress-free.

The Telegraph - Joe Root and Eoin Morgan guide hosts home

Nottingham's River Trent almost burst its banks, awash with records, as England's batsmen produced what was arguably their finest-ever batting performance, and indisputably their highest successful run chase, to level the series with New Zealand at 2-2.

In the bad old days - in other words, until April - England's opening batsmen would often turn the opening 10 overs of powerplay into push-play, or prod-play, or pat-play. On this occasion Alex Hales and Jason Roy gave it some right royal welly and posted 97 without loss from the first 10 overs, the best powerplay England have ever enjoyed.

BBC - Root & Morgan lead record run chase - Former England spinner Graham Swann

I don't believe I've just seen that. Even the staunchest England fans wouldn't have given them much hope there. Eoin Morgan has gone through hell in the last year with the bat, and bounced back incredibly well. Joe Root has been overshadowed by him, yet he's scored an unbeaten century at more than a run a ball. England haven't been ahead of the game in one-day cricket for a long time, but they've taken stock and aped New Zealand completely.

Independent - Morgan cuts loose as hosts find right formula

This is becoming silly. England, set an apparently daunting target of 350 runs to win, made them with delightful, dismissive ease with seven wickets and 36 balls to spare.

It could be said that they have joined the 21st century of one-day cricket, not yet part of the inner circle perhaps, but members of the club. Eoin Morgan, their captain, who had spent a year faffing about wondering where his next run was coming from, made a glorious 113 from 82 balls with 12 fours and five sixes, the fourth consecutive time he has passed fifty in this series.