Stokes steers England home in second New Zealand ODI

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, Feb 28 (AFP): All-rounder Ben Stokes set aside his off-field troubles to steer England to a six-wicket win in the second One-day International (ODI) against New Zealand on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance in just his second appearance for England since being sidelined over a nightclub incident five months ago.

Stokes took two wickets for 42 then hit an unbeaten 63 as England easily chased down New Zealand's target of 224 at Mount Maunganui.

"It was good to get a bit of time out in the middle," he said after England levelled the five-match series 1-1.

"It's good to get out here and train and implement it in the games to make sure I was out there at the end. Hopefully it's a stepping stone for other games coming up."

Stokes only joined England this month after pleading not guilty in a British court to a charge of affray, with the controversy forcing him out of the Australian leg of their tour, including The Ashes.

After England finished on 225 for four in reply to New Zealand's 223 all out, captain Eoin Morgan was full of praise for his star all-rounder.

"Ben's a big character, big in our changing room, he lifts everybody in the side when he performs like he did today," he said.

"It's great to see him back in fine form."

Trent Boult made early inroads as New Zealand tried to defend their modest total, dislodging Jason Roy for eight and Joe Root for nine.