England wrap up New Zealand ODI series as World Cup looms

England crushed New Zealand by 100 runs in the fourth one-day international on Friday to seal a morale-boosting 3-1 series victory ahead of their World Cup title defence.

Jos Buttler's power-packed team were indebted to opener Dawid Malan, who made a sparkling 127 off 114 balls in a total of 311-9 from 50 overs at a sun-drenched Lord's.

New Zealand, dramatically beaten by England in the 2019 World Cup final on the same ground, struggled badly in their run chase, slumping to 211 all out in 38.2 overs.

Both sides were missing a clutch of first-choice players for what served as a dress rehearsal for the opening match of the World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 5.

Buttler believes his side are well-placed to defend their 50-over title in India.

"I think we have got better and better throughout this series in the style of play and got the results as well," he said.

"Dawid Malan has played fantastically well -- every time he gets an opportunity he makes his mark. It was a fantastic hundred. He read the game very well and put bowlers under pressure.

"I think we are well-positioned ahead of the World Cup. We are not trying to defend anything. We are going to try to win a World Cup like everyone else."

England's total appeared within range but Buttler brilliantly ran out Devon Conway with a direct hit before David Willey had Will Young caught behind for 24.

The visitors were reduced to 52-3 when Daryl Mitchell was bowled by paceman Brydon Carse with his third ball.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali, who finished with 4-50, took the wickets of Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls to reduce New Zealand to 122-5.

Ali turned the screw, dismissing Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry in successive balls to leave the Black Caps teetering on 169-8.

All-rounder Rachin Ravindra entertained with some lusty blows, but his dismissal for 61 off 48 balls, bowled by Sam Curran, signalled the end of the innings, with the injured Tim Southee unable to bat.

New Zealand skipper Latham said his side would have to improve to end England's reign as world champions.

"When you get to a World Cup it is slightly different," he said. "It is who turns up on the day. It has shown us areas we need to improve and it is good to come up against a quality side."

- Malan stars -

Earlier, player-of-the-series Malan anchored England's innings after they won the toss, making the most of his opportunity at the top of the order in the continued absence of the injured Jason Roy.

New Zealand paceman Southee injured his thumb in dropping Joe Root.

A New Zealand team spokesman later confirmed that Southee had dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb, putting his World Cup participation in doubt.

Harry Brook, not in England's provisional World Cup squad, failed to make the most of his chance to fill in for the rested Ben Stokes, departing for 10 to give Ravindra a second wicket.

Malan, who scored 96 in the third ODI, reached his three figures in the 32nd over with a whipped shot for two on the leg side.

But Buttler soon departed in tame fashion, caught at mid-off for 36, reducing England to 195-4 and slowing their momentum.

Malan eventually fell for 127, caught behind off a wide delivery from Ravindra, who finished with four wickets.

Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, but Liam Livingstone (28), Sam Curran (20) and Willey (19) all chipped in as England moved past 300.

Scores

England 311-9 in 50 overs (D Malan 127, J Buttler 36; R Ravindra 4-60, D Mitchell 2-40, M Henry 2-69)

New Zealand 211 in 38.2 overs (R Ravindra 61, H Nicholls 41; Moeen Ali 4-50)

Result: England win by 100 runs

Series: England win four-match series 3-1

Toss: England

Malan proud to silence critics

England's Dawid Malan said he was delighted to silence his critics after blasting a match-winning century in his side's 100-run win against New Zealand on Friday.

Jos Buttler's team scored 311-9 from their 50 overs before dismissing the Black Caps for 211 at Lord's to win the four-match series 3-1.

Malan was last month named in England's provisional World Cup squad for the tournament that starts in India next month.

But some pundits argued his place in the world champions' squad was under threat, with young gun Harry Brook pushing for selection.

Malan, named player-of-the series after scores of 54, 96 and 127 in his three innings, said it was nice to prove himself.

"I got the call I was going to the World Cup and then obviously there was a little bit of noise leading up to it. But that's part and parcel of World Cups, and part and parcel of being a professional cricketer," he said.

"Until you're on the plane you never really know if you're on it or not.

"It's satisfying from my point of view to be able to silence some people who always have some negative things to say but my job is to score runs.

"As long as I can keep doing that hopefully I can keep the support from the changing room because I always felt that from the guys that matter inside there."

Malan averages an impressive 61 in 21 ODIs, but said it was hard to win a place in a side packed with white-ball batting stars such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

"It's incredibly tough and you have to score runs. I guess whenever there is a spot under scrutiny there are always going to be guys pushing for those spots. That's just the territory because those guys have been so good for so many years," he said.

"All I can do is score runs and hope that matters. From a personal point of view I feel I've been pretty consistent in both white-ball formats when I've been given the opportunity."

Malan, who missed the second match of the ODI series for the birth of his second child, said he would be on baby-sitting duty when he returned home.

The baby is named Dawid -- the fifth generation the name has been used.

"My wife doesn't like the name so they're calling him 'junior' from what I've been told," the 36-year-old joked.