England captain Alastair Cook was thrilled with his side's series win over New Zealand, saying he never took it for granted that his side would triumph, given the Black Caps' victory over South Africa recently.

England won the third ODI by five wickets with 75 balls to spare, taking the series 2-1 after losing the opening match. They recovered well to win the next two games convincingly, with Steve Finn taking three for 27 in the final game.

Cook said: "It's been quite a long time since we won a one-day series in New Zealand, so we will enjoy tonight. We've shown a lot of character. We were disappointed with ourselves in that first game. Then we had two must-win games, and we held our nerve and raised our standard.

"We came into this series, and everyone was saying 'you're expected to win quite easily'. We were saying 'we'll have none of that - because it's 21 years since we won a one-day series here, and the Kiwis have just beaten South Africa in one'.

"We can be mightily proud of the way we've gone about our business this week. There is no doubt Finn and Anderson were the key. I actually thought they were better today than they were in the last game.

"There's not actually very much the batter can do if they bowl like that. They're taking a big punt to take a risk to try and score some runs."

Cook added of Finn's shorter run-up: "I think it's helped him get a little bit more rhythm. He would admit himself at the start of this tour, and at the start of the India tour, he didn't quite have the rhythm he'd have liked. But something's just clicked this last couple of games, and he's bowled beautifully."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was quick to credit England's bowlers, while expressing his own disappointment, saying: "I thought England bowled outstandingly early on.

"They extracted some pace and bounce at the start that probably wasn't seen for the remainder of the game. It put us under that early pressure ... and to be bowled out for 185 on such a good wicket was never enough.

"It's a missed opportunity. After going 1-0 up in the series, riding on the back of such a good performance in South Africa as well ... clearly it's disappointing in the dressing room."