New Zealand welcomed England in the 1st of a 3-match T20I series at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 18 October
The match was abandoned after the 1st innings due to continued rain
New Zealand and England meet again on October 20 for the 2nd T20I
New Zealand welcomed Harry Brook's England for the 1st of a 3-match T20I series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch but the match was called-off after the end of the 1st innings due to continuous rain.
The Kiwis, led by Mitchell Santner, had won the toss and asked England to bat first. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were aiming to get the visitors off to a good start but the former was on his way back to the pavilion in just the 2nd over for 3 runs, thanks to Jacob Duffy's unplayable short pitched delivery.
Veteran Kiwi pacer Matt Henry, then removed number 3 batter Jacob Bethell for 15 runs through a fantastic caught and bowled attempt. The onus was on Harry Brook and Jos Buttler to steady England's innings but the English skipper was deceived by Jimmy Neesham's slower one in the 8th over to depart for a score of 20.
Tom Banton was then removed for 9 off 9 by Mitchell Santner, shortly after Brook's departure. Jos Buttler, who was England's final hope, also joined them in the dressing room in the 12th over by Michael Bracewell for a score of 29 off 25.
Just as it was starting to look like England's hopes of scoring a defendable total diminished, Sam Curran and Jordan Cox turned it around for the visitors. Curran smashed an unbeaten 49 off 35 at a strike rate of 140, while Cox contributed with an important 16 off 18.
The Kiwis were all smiles when they headed to the dressing room, believing they could chase the total down with ease, but rain played spoil sport and the Umpires had no option, but to call the match off.
New Zealand and England will now look to get the upper hand on the series with a victory in the 2nd T20I on Monday, October 20th at the very same venue.
New Zealand Vs England, 1st T20I: Ball-By-Ball Commentary
England, led by Harry Brook, who missed the T20Is in Ireland after a rain-affected 1-1 series draw against South Africa at home, will look to assert themselves early.
The sides last met in T20 cricket over two years ago, with New Zealand winning by six wickets to level the four-match series 2-2.
New Zealand Vs England, 1st T20I Higlights
New Zealand Vs England, 1st T20I: Toss Update
New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to field first against England.
New Zealand Vs England, 1st T20I: Playing XIs
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook(c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
