Buttler rues England’s missed opportunities

JOS Buttler was left to reflect on a squandered opportunity as a missed run out cost England dear against New Zealand.

After losing the first two games of the Trans-Tasman T20 series to Australia, the tourists literally threw away their hopes of getting back to winning ways against the Black Caps.

Mark Wood was the man responsible for England’s sliding doors moment, hurling the ball wide of the stumps to reprieve home captain Kane Williamson on nought.

Williamson went on to take play the evening’s decisive innings of 72, pouring salt into Wood’s wounds with a handful of big hits at the Durham seamer’s expense.

England gave a decent account of themselves with the bat, Alex Hales racing to 47 and Dawid Malan making a neat 59, but a regular tumble of wickets left them 184 for nine at the close.

“That’s always the way it goes, a bit of luck for Kane and he goes on to become the player of the match,” he said.

“It would have been nice to take that chance but games are defined by fine margins the whole time.”

With Australia already assured of a place in the final, New Zealand are now firm favourites to join them.

They effectively have two chances to book their spot in Auckland later this month, with one win from their next two games enough to edge England out.

England have several questions to answer as they await their fate, having seen their batting misfire in Hobart and Melbourne followed by a lacklustre bowling performance at the Westpac Stadium.

Wood and Adil Rashid took two wickets apiece but proved far too costly, while there was a lack of consistency across the board.

Ben Stokes will fly out to join England’s tour of New Zealand today.

The 26-year-old all-rounder pleaded not guilty to affray at Bristol Magistrates Court on yesterday and was granted bail before the next hearing in the case takes place on March 12.

He is not expected to make an immediate return to the team, but more likely play in the one-dayers.