First T20, Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street:
New Zealand 139-9 (20 overs): Glenn Phillips 41 (38); Luke Wood 3-37, Brydon Carse 3-23
England 143-3 (14 overs): Dawid Malan 54 (42), Harry Brook 43 (27)
England seal the deal with seven wickets in hand and 36 balls remaining
Scorecard
In a masterclass display, England decisively crushed New Zealand with a seven-wicket win in the opening T20 of their four-game series at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
Coming off their Ashes campaign, England effortlessly switched gears and cantered to a target of 140, wrapping it up with a solid six overs to spare.
Jonny Bairstow had a fleeting stay, getting out on the second delivery of the innings. However, Dawid Malan steadied the ship with a well-orchestrated 54 off 42 deliveries.
The southpaw was dismissed needing 24 from 48, but that merely paved the way for Harry Brook’s dynamic unbeaten 43 off 27 balls. Brook’s scintillating innings, peppered with two gigantic sixes, left many wondering why he wasn’t included in England’s provisional 50-over World Cup squad set to compete in India this autumn.
England’s bowling unit also shone, effectively stifling New Zealand to a subpar 139-9. Luke Wood recovered from an initial battering—conceding three sixes in the first over—to take 3-37. Meanwhile, debutant Brydon Carse stunned with an impressive 3-23, contributing to New Zealand’s batting struggles throughout the innings.
The action moves to Manchester this Friday as the series continues.
England Kicks Off World Cup Preparation in Style
The T20 series occurs against the backdrop of England’s upcoming World Cup defense, set to start in just five weeks, and featuring a re-run of the 2019 final against New Zealand.
While they had not played T20 cricket since March, England showed zero cobwebs, in stark contrast to a slightly disheveled New Zealand side.
Captain Jos Buttler expressed an interest in using the T20 series and the following eight 50-over matches against New Zealand and Ireland for World Cup fine-tuning. Stand-out performances from non-squad members Wood and Carse demonstrated the depth of England’s bowling resources.
Dawid Malan, on his way to the World Cup, ignited after a slow start, scoring just three runs off his first nine balls but gaining momentum in an innings that will certainly boost his morale for the coming months.
Harry Brook’s bat did most of the talking in the latter half of the innings, even as Buttler himself moved down the order. Replacing Buttler at the top was Will Jacks, who contributed a brisk 22 from just 12 balls.
Liam Livingstone was bumped ahead of Buttler to the number five spot and concluded the game with a thumping six, delighting the crowd.
Despite New Zealand’s lackluster performance, England’s strong outing provides a positive sign as they prepare for more formidable challenges ahead.
Wood and Carse Steal the Show
Finn Allen’s early onslaught against Wood had hinted at a high New Zealand total. But Wood and Carse adjusted brilliantly to the conditions and wrested back control. Wood dismissed opener Devon Conway cheaply, while Carse trapped Allen in his second over.
Wood also managed to scalp Glenn Phillips, the only Kiwi batsman who looked dangerous, scoring 41 off 38. His dismissal all but crushed New Zealand’s hopes for a competitive total.
Brydon Carse wrapped up New Zealand’s innings, bowling Adam Milne and forcing Ish Sodhi to sky one to Sam Curran in the deep.
In the spin department, Moeen Ali, Livingstone, and Adil Rashid each took a wicket, showcasing England’s versatility with the ball.
Post-Match Reactions
Man of the Match, Brydon Carse: “An incredible start to my T20 career. Playing in front of my home crowd at Durham and contributing to the team’s success feels great.”
England Captain Jos Buttler to Sky Sports: “Absolutely delighted. This was an all-round strong performance. Carse bowled exceptionally well, and it’s great to see new players taking their chances.”
New Zealand Captain Tim Southee to Sky Sports: “Clearly, this wasn’t our best showing. We have a couple of days to regroup and make amends. England bowled well, and we’ll need to reassess our strategy moving forward.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about England vs New Zealand T20 Match
Who won the opening T20 match between England and New Zealand?
England emerged victorious, defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in the opening T20 match.
Where was the match held?
The match was held at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
Who were the standout performers for England?
Dawid Malan and Brydon Carse were the standout performers for England. Malan scored a steady 54 off 42 balls, and Carse impressed on his T20 debut with bowling figures of 3-23.
How many overs did England take to chase down New Zealand’s target?
England chased down the target in just 14 overs, with six overs to spare.
Was this match part of any larger series or tournament?
Yes, this match was the first in a four-game T20 series between England and New Zealand. It also serves as preparation for England’s upcoming World Cup defense.
What was New Zealand’s total score?
New Zealand managed to score 139-9 in their allotted 20 overs.
How did Jonny Bairstow perform?
Jonny Bairstow was dismissed early, getting out on the second ball of England’s innings.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Brydon Carse was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance on his T20 debut.
When is the next match in the series?
The next match in the series is scheduled for Friday and will be held in Manchester.
What did the captains say after the match?
England’s Captain Jos Buttler expressed delight over the all-round performance and praised Carse. New Zealand’s Captain Tim Southee acknowledged that it wasn’t their best showing and they need to regroup.
More about England vs New Zealand T20 Match
- England vs New Zealand T20 Series Schedule
- England Cricket Team News
- New Zealand Cricket Team News
- T20 World Cup 2023 Information
- Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
- Player Profile: Dawid Malan
- Player Profile: Brydon Carse
- Post-Match Interviews and Reactions
- Cricket Rules and Formats
- Upcoming Cricket Matches
10 comments
Brydon Carse, remember the name. He’s got potential to be England’s go-to pacer in crunch situations.
This is all good n’ stuff but the real test is the World Cup. England looking strong, but so are other teams.
Bairstow was a letdown but that’s cricket for ya, one day you’re the hero next you’re zero. Kudos to Malan for holding it down.
Wow, England really showed up today! Malan was on fire and Carse? what a debut man! Cant wait for the next match.
This kinda reminded me of the epic 2019 World Cup final. Oh, what a match that was!
Both teams experimenting huh, expect more fireworks in the upcoming matches.
ugh, not our best day. hope the Black Caps pull it together for the next game. We can do way better.
England starting strong, but we’ve seen teams crumble after a good start. Let’s see how they handle the pressure as World Cup nears.
Wood taking 3-37 after being hit for 3 sixes in the first over? Talk about a comeback. He’s the dark horse for sure.
Harry Brook should’ve been in the provisional World Cup squad, did you see those sixes? England are just spoiled for choice right now.