Jos Buttler made an unbeaten 47 off just 16 balls to set-up England's 34-run win over New Zealand in the third and final one-day international at Trent Bridge.
Man-of-the-match Buttler yesterday needed a six off the last ball of England's innings to surpass Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya's 17-ball record for the fastest ODI fifty, set against Pakistan in Singapore in 1996.
But instead he could only manage two off Tim Southee.
Nevertheless the 22-year-old wicket-keeper's innings featured six fours and three sixes.
The Black Caps still took the three-match series 2-1 after wins by five wickets and 86 runs at Lord's and Southampton respectively last week as England suffered their first home ODI series loss in four years.
For England, victory stopped the rot ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against arch-rivals Australia at Edgbaston on Saturday.
"Getting a win was very important and I thought we played pretty well," said England captain Alastair Cook at the presentation ceremony.
"Jos's knock was the difference between the sides."
Meanwhile Buttler added:"I got a good opportunity with a license at the end of the innings to go out and express myself.
"It's nice to contribute to a winning performance and hopefully there are many more to come."
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was disappointed with yesterday's result but remained upbeat ahead of the Black Caps' Champions Trophy opener against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Sunday.
"We were good for the majority of the game but Buttler's innings was world-class," McCullum said.
"We possess some destructive players and England do as well, but overall we take a lot of confidence and look forward to the Champions Trophy.
