England cruised to a record one-day international chase on Thursday morning (AEST), reaching 3-350 with six overs to spare to level their five-match series with New Zealand at 2-2.

The losers hit 7-349 from their 50 overs in Nottingham, setting England their highest ever chase in one-day cricket.

But the hosts had little trouble in posting the equal-fourth highest total by any team batting second to win a one-day international.

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England captain Eoin Morgan smashed a blistering 113 from just 82 deliveries, while Joe Root hit an unbeaten 106 for the victors.

The pair shared in a 198-run partnership as tardy bowling from New Zealand saw the series go to a fifth and deciding match, to be held at Durham, starting on Saturday (AEST).

The England skipper was in great form. Photo: Getty

For New Zealand, Kane Williamson top-scored with 90 following his 118 in his side’s three-wicket win at Southampton in game three.

The most England had previously made batting second to win an ODI was 5-306 against Pakistan at Karachi in 2000.

But they stayed true to their intention to play an attacking brand of cricket following a humiliating first-round exit at this year’s World Cup – which included an eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand.

They scored 97 runs in the first 10 overs of their reply after the innings started with a maiden from left-arm paceman Ben Wheeler.

But Wheeler (0-75 off eight) saw his next three overs cost 41 runs, while the first over from Mitchell McClenaghan (0-64 off eight) went for 22.

Paceman Matt Henry (2-77) removed Alex Hales (67) and fellow opener Jason Roy (38) in a spell of 2-7 in eight balls, reducing England to 2-111.

Root was dropped on nine, by Ross Taylor, while Morgan also had a lucky break on 66.

And they made the Black Caps pay, with Morgan, who brought up his century with a fifth six of the innings, achieving the feat in just 73 deliveries.

He fell with 41 runs to get but Root and Ben Stokes (19 not out) saw England home in comfortable fashion.

Root, who has hit two centuries in the series, completed the emphatic victory by pulling Mitchell Santner for four.

HIGHEST TOTALS BY A TEAM BATTING SECOND TO WIN A ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL:

438-9 RSA v AUS, Johannesburg, Mar 12, 2006

362-1 IND v AUS, Jaipur, Oct 16, 2013

351-4 IND v AUS, Nagpur, Oct 30, 2013

350-3 ENG v NZL, Nottingham, Jun 17, 2015

350-9 NZL v AUS, Hamilton, Feb 20, 2007