England eases past New Zealand in T20I opener

A half century from James Vince guided England to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in game one of a five-match T20I series on Friday.

Published : Nov 01, 2019 11:09 IST

England batsman James Vince scored 59 runs off 38 balls against New Zealand on Friday, with seven fours and two sixes.
England batsman James Vince scored 59 runs off 38 balls against New Zealand on Friday, with seven fours and two sixes.
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England batsman James Vince scored 59 runs off 38 balls against New Zealand on Friday, with seven fours and two sixes.

England made light work of New Zealand as it won the opening T20I in Christchurch in a rematch of the dramatic Cricket World Cup final.

New Zealand lost a thrilling World Cup decider to England on boundary count-back in July and that heartbreaking defeat was still fresh in the memory of the host.

However, the Black Caps were unable to exact a form of revenge as England cruised to a seven-wicket victory with nine balls remaining in the opening game of a five-match series on Friday.

James Vince top scored with 59 but captain Eoin Morgan (34 not out) hit the winning runs – a six – to lead England to 154-3, in pursuit of New Zealand's 153-5.

Playing without star captain Kane Williamson due to a right hip injury, New Zealand was sent into bat by England at Hagley Park and made a slow start.

READ| New Zealand captain Williamson ruled out of T20 series against England

England debutant Sam Curran – in the side as the tourist rested many of its World Cup stars ahead of the Test series – struck the first blow, dismissing Martin Guptill (2) in the third over.

Curran was then clubbed for three sixes within four balls by Colin Munro (21) and Tim Seifert (32) as the Black Caps duo tried to spark their team's innings.

However, Chris Jordan (2-28) removed Munro in his first over before Adil Rashid's wicket of Colin de Grandhomme (19) left New Zealand 72-3 in the 11th over.

New Zealand managed to surpass the 150-run mark on a good batting deck, but it lost wickets whenever a promising partnership threatened as Seifert and Ross Taylor (44) – who fell victim to another debutant in Pat Brown (1-33) – departed and Daryl Mitchell finished unbeaten on 30.

England was comfortable in reply as it reached 37 without loss before Dawid Malan (11) succumbed to Mitchell Santner in the sixth over.

Black Caps spinner Santner tried to stop England almost singlehandedly, having claimed all New Zealand's wickets with figures of three for 23 after sending Jonny Bairstow (35) and Vince back to the pavilion.

However, it was another successful day for England against New Zealand following the country's stunning Rugby World Cup semifinal triumph over the All Blacks in Japan last week.

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