Cockermouth's Ben Stokes starred with a half-century as England cruised to a series-levelling six-wicket One-Day International win over New Zealand.

All-rounder Stokes, playing his second match after five months out of the side following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, was named man-of-the-match after also taking two wickets and being involved in two run-outs.

England got ahead and stayed there thanks to some exemplary fielding after opting to field first with four run-outs.

David Willey ran out Ross Taylor and Jonny Bairstow ran out Colin de Grandhomme, before Stokes took centre stage in the field, dismissing Kiwi captain Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Stokes, 26, also finished with bowling figures of 2-42 from his eight overs.

In reply, the tourists lost two early wickets but Stokes put on 88 with captain Eoin Morgan, who scored 62.

England's captain Morgan was caught and bowled by Colin Munro, but Jos Buttler made an unbeaten 36 off 20 balls as he and Stokes (63 not out) sealed victory with 12.1 overs to spare.

With the series now tied at 1-1, the third ODI will take place at Westpac Stadium on Saturday morning.