Series opens with Black Caps unable to rein England in
THERE were fewer stars, fewer overs and much smaller stakes, but the beginning of New Zealand’s buildup to the next Cricket World Cup has begun in the same way its last cup campaign ended — with a loss to England.
In the teams’ first meeting since the fateful ODI World Cup final, England took the opening game of the fivematch twenty20 series, toppling the Black Caps by seven wickets.
Chasing 154 for victory at Hagley Oval, England did it with minimal stress, requiring no super overs or arcane tiebreakers to secure this particular victory.
Given the game’s relative lack of meaning, it was hardly a chance for revenge for the Black Caps — they will have to wait four years for that — but instead an opportunity to kickstart another elongated buildup, with 25 further twenty20 clashes to come before the next World Cup — the twenty20 edition — rolls around in October.
On the basis of game one of 26, a better start with the bat will be the first thing on the agenda for coach Gary Stead to tweak.
Colin Munro and Martin Guptill, much maligned after poor opening partnerships in the United Kingdom, could not immediately reverse that in the shortest format, as the Black Caps were reduced to seven for one after three overs.
A Tom Curran maiden over was followed by a wicket for his brother Sam, as Guptill dragged a short ball on to his stumps as he tried to alleviate the early pressure.
Munro and Tim Seifert did manage to whack three sixes in a 21run over, but the Black Caps’ innings was one bereft of an anchor and lacking rapid contributions.
Munro spooned Chris Jordan straight to midwicket to depart for 21 from 20 balls, while Jordan also ended Seifert’s stay with a borderline full toss, the wicketkeeper caught in the deep for a 26ball 32.
Colin de Grandhomme came in and provided his usual blustering cameo, swatting his first ball lackadaisically for four before later bashing a onehanded six, but after reaching 73 for two after 10 overs, the Black Caps could not quite push on.
Ross Taylor (44 from 35) and
Daryl Mitchell (30 not out from 17) added 56 from 38 balls, but they could not accelerate the scoring as they would have liked in the final throes, as all five of England’s bowlers produced reasonably economical efforts.
Part of that was due to a somewhat slowpaced pitch, as England also struggled at times to accumulate runs. An 18run Scott Kuggeleijn over provided the majority of its early returns as it initially struggled to find the middle.
Mitchell Santner again showed his worth as a T20 bowler, claiming three for 23 with some delightful flight and deception, removing Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow and James Vince to give the hosts a sniff.
Unfortunately for the Black Caps, those were the only wickets to fall, and before his eventual dismissal, Vince had produced a matchwinning display, bringing up his maiden twenty20 halfcentury with a crucial 59 from 38 balls. He took a particular liking to the bowling of Kuggeleijn (none for 35 from three overs) and Ish Sodhi (none for 38 from four).
When Santner’s spell ended, England needed 31 from 24 balls, but neither Lockie Ferguson nor Tim Southee could restrict Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings, Morgan slamming a four and a six to see England home with nine balls to spare, ensuring there would be no repeat of the tension at Lord’s. — The New Zealand Herald