England kept the five-match series alive by beating New Zealand by six wickets in the third one-dayer in Auckland on Friday.

The visitors, chasing an adjusted target, cruised to victory with three overs to spare to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

New Zealand hit 234 for nine in 50 overs but England were set 229 off 47 overs to win after rain interrupted their innings.

Ian Bell top-scored with 73 while captain Paul Collingwood finished unbeaten on 70 to complete a fine double after capturing three wickets with the ball. England's seamers enjoyed their best day of the series when they ripped through the New Zealand top-order in quick fashion.

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND

Ryder c M’has b Anderson 23
McCullum c Cook b Anderson 4
How c Collingwood b Broad 10
Taylor lbw Collingwood 31
Styris c Mascarenhas b Broad 3
Fulton b Collingwood 4
Oram c Bell b Sidebottom 88
Vettori c Shah b Collingwood 42
Mills c Cook b Broad 8
Hitchcock (not out) 11
Martin (not out) 2
Extras (LB-4, W-2, NB-2) 8
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 overs) 234
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-40, 3-40, 4-53, 5-64, 6-95, 7-169, 8-199, 9-223.
Bowling: Sidebottom 10-0-37-1, Anderson 10-1-41-2, Broad 10-1-32-3, Collingwood 9-0-43-3, Mascarenhas 7-0-55-0, Wright 4-0-22-0.

ENGLAND

Cook c Martin b Oram 9
P Mustard run out 15
Bell lbw Vettori 73
Pietersen lbw Vettori 41
Collingwood (not out) 70
Shah (not out) 18
Extras (W-2, NB-1) 3
Total (4 wkts, 44 overs) 229
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-31, 3-138, 4-149.
Bowling: Kyle Mills 10-1-54-0, Chris Martin 7-0-45-0, Jacob Oram 9-1-45-1, Hitchcock 7-0-56-0, Daniel Vettori 10-1-23-2, Styris 1-0-6-0.