Harry being driven bat-ty by England stars' poor performance

HARRY Brook is scratching his head as to why England keep floundering with the bat after another paltry total led to them sliding to an ODI series defeat in New Zealand.

- By DAVID CHARLESWORTH

After being skittled for 223 in the first ODI at Mount Maunganui, where they were spared embarrassment by Brook's brilliant 135, England capitulated to 175 all out in 36 overs at Hamilton yesterday.

Fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton top-scored with a counterattacking 42 from number eight, but Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Jos Buttler are yet to get going in the series.

New Zealand then overhauled their target with five wickets and 16.5 overs to spare to go 2-0 ahead with one to play at Wellington on Saturday as England crashed to a ninth successive ODI loss overseas.

With the Ashes looming and key players struggling for form ahead of the first Test in Perth, Brook was at a loss to explain why a batting lineup crammed with talent have under-delivered in New Zealand.