No excuses from Cook after Guptill runs amok

England's Jonathan Trott bats during the Second One Day International at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. (Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire).

England fell 86 runs short of the second-highest chase in one-day international history as they could only muster only 273 all out in reply to 359-3, despite the best efforts of centurion Jonathan Trott.

Kiwi opener Martin Guptill went on to amass an impressive 189 not out after being dropped by Trott when on 13, and England were unable to make amends from their defeat at Lord’s to lose their first home one-day series since 2009.

“I think 320 was about par, and very gettable to chase,” said Cook.

“The last five overs went for 85 runs, so that’s pretty much where they obviously did the damage.

“But they earned the right to do that by keeping wickets in hand right up until that time.

“They were 270 going into that last five, only three wickets down.

“Even if they’d scored at 10-an-over for those last five, 320 or 330 leaves us in with a chance to win that game. Those extra 30 runs really hurt us.”

The England captain made sure he gave Guptill due credit, rather than lamenting his own bowlers’ efforts.

“It was obviously a tough day (for us),” added Cook. “Huge credit to the way Guptill played – 190 in a one-day game is a very special innings. He made us pay, and what was impressive was he always managed to find the right option at the right time.

“If we did build a couple of dots on him, he’d always manage to get the release with a four without taking too big a risk.”

England’s batsmen were always likely to be up against it.

“The scoreboard pressure when you’re chasing 360, that is what it is,” said Cook.

“You’re trying to keep up with the rate, but take minimal risk.

“Trotty’s was an outstanding hundred, and we needed those 30s or 40s at a lot less than a run-a-ball to turn into 50s and 60s to give ourselves a chance.

“Even towards the end, you saw how hard it is to defend the Ageas Bowl. You’re always thinking ‘if only we were two or three wickets down’.

“But New Zealand earned the right to put us under that pressure by getting 360.

“I just think any side chasing 360, it’s going to be very tough.”