England Claim Series Win Following Final New Zealand T20 Washout, Brook Left Disappointed
England's T20 contest versus New Zealand ended exactly how it started, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the elements teased and taunted. Precipitation first appeared at 7.17pm, two minutes after the match began. Following a short restart, it came back, paused, allowed the crew some opportunity to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a 10pm restart, and then fell once again at 9.59pm. Twenty-five balls were bowled.
"You don’t want to come such a distance to New Zealand and only play one game," Harry Brook stated. "Extremely annoying."
Officially, the English side called correctly and chose to bowl. The initial overs yielded boundaries, both hit by Tim Seifert—a brief preview of the scoring potential a combination of a placid wicket, strong winds, and the small boundaries could have enabled.
The final balls went for six, the batters sending it into the crowd. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, from 3.4 overs, as the match was called off.
Despite his disappointment, Brook at least has three one-day internationals ahead, but a trio of this England squad won't continue when play shifts to Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Crawley will stay in New Zealand to continue his Ashes preparations while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Jordan Cox (18) return home.
Friday marks the first anniversary of Cox being ruled out from England’s Test series here with a thumb fracture from practice. He likely hopes his luck in New Zealand could vary as the weather.
This was the first time to host an international in Auckland in October and neatly illustrated why. "I suppose October showers are likely," said Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. "We always enjoy to face England any season. The problem was that they were often they were supposed to be playing England not playing England."
England managed to secure a single win, thus taking the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was as optimistic as the planners: "We’ve had a hell of a lot of fun," he remarked. "We’ve gained a lot. Spending time as a group and try to become good mates surely aids you on the field. We enjoyed ourselves and smiles. It was truly valuable."
