ENGLAND hit a notable new high at the Ageas Bowl - but lost to a record-breaking New Zealand partnership.

After posting more than 300 for the third successive match, a sequence they have never previously achieved in one-day internationals, England were all out for 302 in 45.2 overs.

But Ross Taylor (110) and Kane Williamson (118) shared a third-wicket stand of 206 - an Ageas Bowl ODI record - as New Zealand went 2-1 up in the Royal London Series.

As at the Oval two days ago, when they put on 121 together, Williamson (118) and Taylor (110) took few chances as they dominated a chase eventually completed with an over to spare.

Taylor had some luck on his side en route to his second century in three days, and Williamson was pure class - although he too was badly-dropped at mid-off on 109 by Mark Wood off David Willey.

England’s batsmen had kept swinging, in accordance with their new commitment to attack at all costs, and half-centuries from Joe Root (54), Eoin Morgan (71) and Ben Stokes (68) gave them substance - before they lost their last five wickets for 14 runs.

Batting was a slightly hazardous pursuit initially, albeit one Morgan had opted for under cloud cover.

Alex Hales edged debutant Ben Wheeler (3-63) to second slip, and then without addition Jason Roy missed an unsightly drive to be bowled by Tim Southee (3-44).

But Root and Morgan put on a breezy century stand, revisiting their innings which set the tone for this series at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Root went unluckily, bowled off his pads after advancing to Mitchell Santner. Then Morgan, who had luck on his side on several occasions, passed 50 for the third successive match before he was bowled, sweeping at Williamson.

England still had a good platform at 194-3 with 17 overs remaining - and Jos Buttler batting with join Stokes.

Buttler was to be just a bit-part player this time, edging a wide one from Southee behind.

But Stokes was in full flow and soon Sam Billings too. His 34 off 16 balls, in a stand of 61 off 34, was as contemporary as you can get with a series of ramps overs his left shoulder among his six fours.

But he was caught at short third-man, Adil Rashid was out first ball and Stokes was bowled heaving at Wheeler’s last delivery, to leave England with only two wickets for the last six overs.