Match Center

One punch received, two punches delivered! New Zealand have taken the lead coming from behind and would be looking to close the series in Napier where the fourth T20I will take place on Friday. Do join us for all the action at 1800 local (0500 GMT). Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Tim Southee, the Kiwi skipper, says that they knew it was going to be tough if they keep taking wickets. Tells that once Morgan got out, things were going to get difficult for the coming batsmen. Points that Colin de Grandhomme is a team man and he is happy for him. Tells that the match could have gone either way at the halfway mark of the second innings.

Eoin Morgan, the English skipper, says that the lack of experience in the squad cost them the game. Adds that they will get better with more games. Terms that the competitiveness of the series is amazing. Tells that his side will look to play smart and aggressive cricket to level the series in the next game. Praises the Curran brothers for their exceptional work.

Colin de Grandhomme is named the Man of the Match for his superb half century. He starts by saying that he got the opportunity at number 4 and things worked well for him. Adds that he was hitting the ball pretty well in Sri Lanka as well so that helped him. Tells that once quick wicket falls which is not nice for the openers but it allows the number 4 more access to the boundaries.

New Zealand will be pleased with their overall effort. It was not as straightforward as it's looking now. They were under the cosh when James Vince and Dawid Malan formed a partnership. Eoin Morgan then took it forward but the Kiwis hung in there. They needed one opening to gain some control and the fall of Morgan's wicket provided them that. Post that, Blair Tickner and Lockie Ferguson bowled two brilliant overs and successfully denied England any hope of a comeback.

Talking about the turning point of this chase and it has to be the 15th over bowled by Mitchell Santner. The English skipper took him to the cleaners. He hammered a couple of sixes in that over and the on-air commentator Ian Smith even mentioned that England will be kicking themselves all the way to Napier if they don't win from there. Eventually, that happened as Santner got his revenge on the final ball of the over and the Three Lions went downhill in their chase. They will be immensely disappointed after failing to close the game in their favour.

A convincing win for the Black Caps! Top effort from their bowlers, especially the three frontline seamers. England started their chase in a brisk manner and looked in control till the wicket of Eoin Morgan fell. Disaster struck after that and they completely lost the plot. They required 42 runs in the last five overs with 7 wickets remaining but the inexperience of the middle-lower order hurt them. The Kiwis stepped up their game when it mattered the most and earned a rather comfortable win in the end to go 2-1 up in the series.

19.6

2

Shorter delivery outside off, Tom plays it over the point fielder and takes a couple before the fielder can clean it up. It does not matter though as New Zealand WIN BY 14 RUNS!

19.5

1

Short ball on middle, Saqib pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.

19.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Saqib plays it back to the bowler.

19.3

1

Fullish ball outside off, Tom drives this towards cover but cannot get it through. The fielder slightly fumbles allowing the batsmen to take a single.

19.2

.

Full delivery on off, Curran drives it to mid off. No run taken.

19.1

.

Full delivery on off, Tom looks to play the scoop shot but it hits the inside edge of the bat onto the pads. Saqib wants the single but is sent back.

Tim Southee to bowl the last over. England need 19 runs off the last 6 balls to win the match. Can they do it?

18.6

1

Flighted ball outside off, Tom looks to slog it away but goes off the inside edge onto his pads. The batters cross for a single. 19 more runs required off the last over.

18.5

6

SIX! Bang! Flighted delivery on off, Tom sends it sailing over the deep mid-wicket fence for a massive maximum.

18.5

1wd

WIDE! Loopy ball way outside off, Tom looks to play the reverse sweep but fails to connect with it. It is wided.

18.4

1

Flat delivery in the channel around off, Saqib looks to play it straight but it goes off the top edge. The ball falls short of the running long on and long off fielders. The batters take a single.

18.3

1

Flatter delivery on middle, Tom plays it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.

18.2

1

Full delivery around off, Saqib works it towards the leg side and takes a single.

18.1

1

Flatter delivery outside off, Tom punches this towards cover and takes off for a single.

Ish Sodhi to bowl the penultimate over. 2-0-18-0 from him so far.

17.6

1

Good length ball on off, Tom pushes it towards cover for a single. Excellent over from Lockie Ferguson as only 3 runs came off it along with two wickets.

Saqib Mahmood is in now.

17.5

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Sam is the latest casualty to make his way back to the pavilion. Short delivery outside off, Curran looks to go over the deep cover fence but does not get the required distance on it. Munro who is standing in the deep does not make a mess of it and takes a simple catch. A roaring celebration from Munro.

17.4

1

Good length ball outside off, Tom guides it to third man and takes a single.

Tom Curran replaces Gregory out in the middle.

17.3

W

OUT! BOWLED! After bowling a slower delivery, Ferguson dishes a 144 kmph delivery on middle and leg stump. Gregory looks to smash it down the ground but misses it completely. The ball goes on to demolish the leg stump. England crumbling at the moment and need some magic to win the game from here.

17.2

.

Slower short delivery on middle, Gregory looks to pull it but it goes off the under edge of the bat and over the stumps. The ball rolls into the keeper's gloves.

17.1

1

On a length on off, Sam defends it towards mid off and takes a single.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl out now. 3-0-22-0 are his figures so far.

Lewis Gregory comes in at 7. England need a quick hand from him.

16.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Vince falls searching for the elusive boundary! A good over from Tickner has ended as a great one. Full delivery outside off, Vince looks to hit it over the mid off fielder but does not get the required elevation on it. Southee, the NZ skipper, jumps up and pouches it safely. England in a spot now. 34 required from the last three overs.

16.5

2

Full delivery on middle, Vince flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple.

16.4

1

On a length outside off, Curran punches it towards the point region where Ross Taylor dives to stop the ball. The batters still manage to take the single.

16.3

.

Good length ball outside off, Curran pushes it to the cover region for nothing.

16.3

1wd

WIDE! Good length delivery way outside off, Sam leaves the ball alone. The umpire gives it a wide.

16.2

1

Full delivery outside off, Vince drives this towards the mid off region and takes a single.

16.1

.

Full toss on middle and leg, Vince misses out on this as he could only get an edge onto his pads.

Blair Tickner is back on. 3-0-20-1 are his figures so far.

15.6

.

Another dot to finish. Good length ball outside off, Curran again misses as he pokes at the ball. Just 3 from the over and a wicket. Can this be the turning point?

15.5

.

Beaten on the inside edge. Good length ball in the channel, Curran looks to cut but misses.

Sam Curran is the new man in.

15.4

W

OUT! RUN OUT! What an effort from Munro and he has found Billings short of the crease. He has one stump to aim at as he came running from the point region and he hits the bull's eye. A little bit of indecision from the batters and it has cost England a wicket. Coming to the ball, it lands around off and middle and jags back in. Billings looks to turn it towards the leg side but the ball thuds his thigh pad and goes towards point. Both the batters think of a run initially as they take off but Vince then sends Billings back. He looks to return by diving but Munro's underarm throw finds him short. The umpire goes upstairs but Billings is not waiting. He's on his bike and the Kiwis are celebrating.

Direct hit at the striker's end! Sam Billings is the batsman in question. The Kiwis are celebrating. Sam is walking as the umpire refers it upstairs...

15.3

1

Short outside off, Vince drags it to long on for a single.

15.2

1

Good length ball outside off, Sam taps it towards short third man for a single.

15.1

1

Short outside off, Vince mistimes his pull as the ball goes wide of long off. A single taken. Vince though was interested for the second, Billings sends him back.

Sam Billings walks out to the middle. Skipper Southee returns for his third over. 2-0-21-0 are his figures so far.

14.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! This time the skipper finds the fielder! He had already got two sixes in the over and perishes in looking for the third. Santner bowls a full delivery on off, Eoin looks to deposit this over the long on fielder but it goes off the bottom half of his bat. Colin Munro standing in the deep does not move an inch and takes a simple catch. New Zealand desperately needed this wicket. 42 more required off 30 balls. Expensive last over for Santner but he eventually got the prized scalp.

14.5

.

BEATEN! Short delivery outside off, Morgan looks to cut but misses it altogether.

14.4

1

Full delivery on off, Vince drives this towards the mid off region and crosses over for a single.

14.3

1

Full delivery on middle and off, Morgan sweeps this one towards deep square leg and takes a single.

14.3

1wd

WIDE! Short ball way outside off, Eoin shoulders arms to this one. It is wided again.

14.2

6

SIX! Excellent batting this. Flatter ball on off, Eoin goes down on his knees and slog sweeps this one over the deep mid-wicket region for the second biggie of the over.

14.2

1wd

WIDE! Santner bowls this way outside off to get Morgan stumped as he was coming down the track. Eoin lets it go and makes it back to the crease. It is wided.

14.1

6

SIX! Beautiful shot! Santner bowls a full delivery on off, Morgan moves a little to the off side and lifts this over deep mid-wicket for his first maximum of the game.

Mitchell Santner to bowl out. 3-0-25-0 are his figures so far.

13.6

1

Good length delivery outside off, Morgan guides it towards third man and takes a single. 58 runs required off 36 balls.

13.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Eoin shuffles in his crease and pushes it towards mid on for nothing.

13.4

.

Good length delivery outside off, Morgan looks to pull it towards the leg side but does not make any connection.

13.3

1

On a length in the channel, Vince pushes it to long on and takes a single.

13.2

1

Good length delivery on middle and leg, Morgan looks to flick it but it goes off the inside edge towards square leg. The batters take a single.

13.1

1

Short delivery on middle, Vince works it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Lockie Ferguson back on. 2-0-18-0 so far from him.

12.6

.

BEATEN! Short delivery outside off, Eoin looks to cut but fails to put any bat on it. Tickner gave just 6 in his first two but has given away 14 runs in this one.

12.5

1

Short ball on off, Vince pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket fielder and takes a single.

12.4

2

Full delivery outside off, Vince drives this towards the cover region and takes off for a couple.

12.3

6

SIX! Brilliant shot! On a length on middle, James towers this one towards deep square leg for another maximum. Two fielders were there but it went into the crowd. 11 runs off the first three balls.

12.2

4

FOUR! What a shot! Good length delivery outside off, Vince stands tall and creams the cover drive for a boundary. The fielder at mid off tries to stop it but fails to do so.

12.1

1

Full delivery on off, Morgan looks to play the straight drive but it goes off the inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the off side and the batters cross for a single.

Blair Tickner is back on. 2-0-6-1 are his figures so far.

11.6

4

FOUR! Poor ball and gets the punishment it deserves. Short and on middle, Vince rocks back on the back foot and hammers it to the deep mid-wicket fence. Easy pickings these for Vince. 11 from this over.

11.5

4

FOUR! Clever from Vince. Low full toss on the middle stump, Vince sweeps it to the deep square leg fence. It went all around the turf as Vince rolled his wrists on that one nicely.

11.4

2

Flighted on middle, Vince this time opens his stance and lofts it over cover-point and takes a quick couple.

11.3

.

Flighted fuller ball, pushed back to the bowler.

11.2

.

Short and wide outside off, Vince throws his bat at it but misses as it is too wide. Seifert whips the bails off and appeals but nothing from the umpire.

11.1

1

Quicker one outside off, Morgan punches it towards cover for a single.

10.6

.

Short ball on off, Vince plays the square cut but straight to the short third man fielder.

10.5

2

Loopy ball on off, Vince works it towards the deep square leg region and calls Morgan for a couple.

10.4

1

Flighted ball on middle, Morgan gets off the mark as he flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

10.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Vince flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

10.2

W

OUT! CAUGHT! A poor ball but Malan has found the fielder to perfection. Ish Sodhi bowls a wide low full toss outside off, Malan shuffles across the stumps and looks to slog sweep it into the stand at deep mid-wicket but does not time it well. The ball goes high in the air and Martin Guptill stationed there takes a simple catch. 91 runs still required from 58 balls. Eoin Morgan makes his way out to the middle.

10.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Malan plays it to mid off for nothing.

Ish Sodhi is back on. 1-0-14-0 are his figures so far.

9.6

1

Around off, Malan pushes it to long off for a single.

9.5

4

FOUR! Nicely done! A scoop over the keeper's head. It lands on middle, Malan shuffles across and lobs the ball over the keeper's head. It races to the fine leg fence.

9.4

.

Flighted on middle, Malan swings his bat too early and gets a blow on the body.

9.3

2

Wide outside off, Malan drives it through the covers and picks a couple of runs to reach his half century. His fifth in the shortest format of the game!

9.2

1

On middle again, Vince eases it to long off for a single.

9.1

.

Full on middle, Vince pushes it back to the bowler.

8.6

2

Fullish delivery on middle and leg, Dawid flicks it towards the backward square leg region and looks for a couple. Malan has to dive in order to get in but brings down the keeper as well in the process. No harm done though. 16 runs have come off the over. A huge one for England.

8.5

4

FOUR! Thrashed! Neesham bowls a fullish delivery outside off, Dawid lunges forward and creams the cover drive past the mid off and cover fielders for another boundary. 50-run partnership is up between the two.

8.4

6

SIX! Brilliant shot from Dawid! England needed this! Good length ball on middle, Malan plays the lofted shot over deep mid-wicket for a huge maximum.

8.3

1

Good length delivery outside off, Vince punches this off the back foot towards the point region and crosses over for a single.

8.2

2

On a length outside off, Vince pushes it towards the deep cover region and takes a couple. Blair Tickner runs across and makes a sliding stop.

8.1

1

Good length ball outside off, Malan crunches the drive towards the cover region and takes a single. Santner comes around and collects it.

James Neesham is into the attack for the first time.

7.6

1

Full delivery on middle and leg, Dawid flicks it away to the leg side and ends the over with a run.

7.5

1

Quicker delivery on off, James punches it off the back foot towards the off side and takes a single.

7.4

2

Short ball on middle, James pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes off for a couple before the fielder can come around and clean it up.

7.3

.

Flatter delivery on middle and leg, James flicks it towards the short fine leg region.

7.2

1

Floated ball on the pads, Malan comes down the track and flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

7.1

1

Short ball outside off, Vince cuts it towards the deep cover region and takes a single.

Man of the Match of the last game, Mitchell Santner is into the attack.

6.6

4

FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Not the kind of start the leggie would've wanted. He bowls this shortish length ball way outside off, Malan reaches out and punches it to the deep cover. 14 runs from the first off Sodhi. He continues to struggle in this series.

6.5

4

FOUR! Innovative this time. Full and outside off, Malan gets in the position and reverse sweeps it to the short third man fence.

6.4

1

On the pads, Vince turns it towards square leg for a single.

6.3

4

FOUR! Hammered away! Short and on middle, Vince pulls and connects. The ball races away in a jiffy to the deep mid-wicket fence.

6.2

.

Flighted ball on middle, Vince looks to work it to the leg side but misses. The ball goes on to hit the pads and Sodhi appeals but the umpire suggests that there was an inside edge on that one. The replays confirm the same.

6.1

1

Starts with a shortish length ball outside off, Malan punches it to deep cover for a single.

Spin for the first time in this innings. Ish Sodhi comes on.

5.6

1

Shortish length around off, pushed to long off for a single. End of the Powerplay overs, England have reached 46/1, needing 135 runs more!

5.5

4

FOUR! A great attempt in the deep but to no avail. Southee bowls it on the pads of the batsman who blazes it away flat over square leg. The fielder dives near the fence but fails to cut it off. That nearly went all the way.

5.4

.

Bouncer down the leg side. Malan tries to pull but cannot connect. Not called wide.

5.3

.

Swing and a miss this time. Another slower ball outside off, Malan has a swing but misses.

5.2

4

DROPPED AND FOUR! That was a very tough chance though. A slower delivery around off and middle, Malan hammers it straight back. Southee throws his hand at the ball but it hits his palm and races to the long off fence even after getting a touch of the bowler. That shows how ferociously it was struck.

5.1

1

Good length ball on middle, Vince pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

4.6

2

Good length ball outside off, Malan has a slash at it but it goes off the top edge of the bat towards the third man region. The fielder there hares after it and cleans it up. The batters take a couple. Another tidy over by Tickner.

Tim Southee is back on. He bowled an expensive first over and would like to tighten things in this over.

4.5

1

Good length ball on middle, James flicks it towards the leg side and takes a single.

4.4

1

Full delivery on middle, Malan pushes it to mid off and takes off for a quick single.

4.3

.

Short delivery on middle, Dawid pulls it towards mid on where the fielder makes a sliding stop. No run taken.

4.2

.

On a length on off, Malan pushes it to short third man.

4.1

.

Full delivery outside off, Dawid drives it to covers for nothing.

3.6

.

Good length delivery on off angling into the batsmen, Vince gets beaten due to the swing on it and is hit on the stomach. No damage done though. Four dots in a row to finish the over.

3.5

.

Slower delivery on middle, James flicks it towards the mid-wicket region.

3.4

.

On a length on off, Vince defends it to point.

3.3

.

BOUNCER! Lockie bowls it aimed at the body of Vince, who does well to duck under it.

3.2

1

Short ball on middle, Malan pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.

3.1

4

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Poor fielding yet again from the Kiwis! Ferguson dishes a full ball outside off, Malan drives it towards the cover region and into the boundary. The fielder at mid off tries to make a diving stop but it bursts through and goes into the fence.

2.6

.

Good length ball on middle, Vince defends it back to the bowler off the back foot. 2 runs and a wicket from Tickner's first!

James Vince walks in now.

2.5

W

OUT! BOWLED! Banton has to go after playing some sumptuous shots! Tickner bowls a good length ball on middle, Tom walks across the stumps to play the scoop shot over short fine leg but misses it altogether. The ball goes on to clip the leg stump bail. Tickner immediately makes an impact in his return to the side.

2.4

1

Good length ball outside off, Malan pushes it to the cover fielder and takes off for a quick single. Neesham has a shy at the bowler's end but the ball sticks a bit in his hand and it misses the stumps. Had he hit, Malan was well out.

2.3

.

Shortish length outside off, Malan swings but misses.

2.2

.

Shortish length outside off, Malan taps it straight to the cover fielder.

2.1

1

Good length ball on middle, Banton looks to defend but the ball takes an inside edge and hits him on the pads. It rolls towards point and the batters take a single.

Blair Tickner to bowl now.

1.6

.

BEATEN! Slower delivery outside off, Malan looks to slog it away but fails to put any bat on it. Another good over comes to an end for England.

1.5

1lb

Good length ball down the leg side, Tom looks to flick it but it goes off the pads and towards short fine leg. The batters steal a leg bye.

1.5

1wd

Good length ball down the leg side, Tom looks to flick it but misses. It is wided.

1.4

4

EDGY FOUR! Lockie bowls a good length delivery on off, Banton looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge towards short third man. The fielder there tries to stop it with a dive but it goes beneath him and into the fence.

1.3

6

SIX! This is brilliant batting from Banton! Good length delivery on middle and leg, Tom flicks it off his pads and the ball goes way over the deep mid-wicket fence. Banton is looking really good on his debut.

1.2

1

On a length on middle, Dawid flicks it towards mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.

1.1

1

Good length ball on middle, Tom works it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end.

0.6

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Short delivery outside off, Malan rocks on his back foot and slashes the ball towards the backward point region for the second boundary of the over. 11 runs have come off the first over. Good start for the visitors.

0.5

1

Good length delivery on middle, Tom flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single.

0.4

4

FOUR! Shot of the day so far and it has come off the bat of the debutant, Tom Banton! Fullish delivery outside off, Banton lunges forward and creams the cover drive past the fielder and into the fence.

0.3

1

Full delivery on off, Malan pushes it towards the point region and takes a single.

0.2

1

Good length ball on middle and leg, Tom flicks it towards the short fine leg region where the fielder makes a good sliding stop. The batters take a single. The debutant is off the mark in T20Is.

0.1

.

Southee starts with a good length ball on middle, Banton defends it off the front foot towards the bowler.

We are back for the chase! The debutant Tom Banton and Dawid Malan make their way out to the middle along with Kiwi players. Tim Southee will start for the hosts.

It's a challenging total and New Zealand will be backing themselves to defend it against the inexperienced English batting unit. But they will also have to rely on variations to succeed. England, on the other hand, would hope for a great start in the Powerplay to set the tone. Do join us in a short while for the chase.

England bowled decently. After conceding runs at a brisk rate early on, they quickly realized that varying the pace is the way forward. That gave them success as well. The Curran brothers were brilliant in their combined spells of 8 overs whereas same cannot be said for other bowlers. Debutant Matt Parkinson not bowling his full quota came as a surprise as he looked in control in his two overs.

Opting to bat, the Kiwi openers provided a brisk start but then fell in succession. England bounced back well after the early onslaught and tried to build the pressure. However, Colin de Grandhomme's quickfire fifty provided the kick to the New Zealand innings in the middle overs. His partnership with Ross Taylor kept the visiting team on the back foot but once Colin departed, the English team gained some control. Rosco never got going in his innings and had Neesham and Santner not played handy cameos, the Black Caps would not have reached even 180.

A good comeback towards the end by England as they didn't allow New Zealand the desired finish! The hosts would have loved to get closer to 200 and they had the chance too. But losing wickets at crucial moments hurt them.

19.6

W

OUT! Run out to finish this innings! Curran bowls a slower one. It's on the shorter side around middle and leg. Southee moves back to swing hard at it but misses. They try to steal a bye but Billings comes up with a direct hit at the striker's end to find the diving Santner short. NEW ZEALAND END ON 180/7!

19.5

1

A low full toss on middle, dipping in, Santner goes down and hits it firmly across the line to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

19.4

4

FOUR! Shot! Curran lets out a full toss on off, Santner latches onto it and smashes it straight down the ground for a boundary. No stopping this one.

19.3

2

Back of the hand slower one. On a shortish length outside off, Santner goes hard at it and gets away from the upper half of his bat. It runs straight down the ground and they take a couple of runs.

19.2

1

Dances down the track and knocks it down to long on. Once again only a run.

19.1

1

Too full in length around off, Santner drives it down to long off for one.

Tom Curran to bowl the final over of the innings. Tim Southee joins Santner in the middle too.

18.6

W

OUT! Bowled 'em! Dangerous Neesham departs with 6 balls left in the innings. Curran bowls a seam up delivery this time at 131 kph. There is a bit of a tail on this one as it lands. Neesham tries slogging it across the line but is beaten comprehensively. It goes through and rattles the stumps. 4-0-29-1, a good outing for Sam Curran!

18.6

1wd

Wide! Fullish and down the leg side, James tries to flick but misses. Good collection by Billings to his right.

18.5

1

Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.

18.4

.

Slower one to fox the batsman this time. It's outside off, Santner swings early and misses.

18.3

4

FOUR! There is zero margin for error! Curran tries to nail his yorker in the line of the stumps but instead serves a juicy full toss on the legs of the batsman. Santner accepts it gleefully and muscles it behind square leg for a boundary.

18.2

1lb

A yorker tailing into the left-hander, Neesham fails to dig it out and is hit on the pads. It rolls behind square leg and they cross for a leg bye.

18.1

1

Short in length on off, it's pulled down to long on for a run.

Sam Curran to bowl out first. 3-0-22-0 are his figures so far.

17.6

.

Shortish and on off, Neesham is beaten by the slowness of the delivery and mistimes his shot back to the bowler. Good work done by Mahmood in his followthrough.

17.5

1

A low full toss on the pads, helped to mid-wicket for a run.

Mitchell Santner is in at 7.

17.4

W

OUT! End of a struggling stay in the middle for Rosco! Mahmood angles in a good length ball on middle, rolling his fingers on the side of the ball, Taylor makes room to swing it across the line but misses. He is struck on the back leg, they appeal and the finger goes up. Taylor walks straightaway. Neesham tries to stop him and suggest for the DRS but Ross is in a hurry to leave. Maybe, he knew that he's struggling and someone else can do the job more efficiently. The Ball Tracker shows that it's missing leg.

17.3

1

Mistimes his shot on the leg side off the inside edge. They cross for a run.

17.2

6

SIX! Technically a dropped catch but what an effort by Brown! A low full toss on off, Neesham slogs it across the line and it flies in the air. Brown jumps near the fence with his right hand stretched out. It comes into his palm but then slips out for a biggie.

17.1

.

Swings and misses! Slower length ball on off, angling away, Neesham tries to heave but fails to make any contact.

16.6

1

Brown switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a slower length ball on off, Neesham steers it to point for a run. 8 from the over, 18 legal balls left in the innings!

16.5

4

FOUR! Rockets away to the fence! Brown tries to bowl a yorker outside off but fails to land it. It turns out to be a low full toss and Neesham drills it square of the wicket on the off side for a cracking boundary.

16.4

.

Too full in length outside off, it's hit back firmly but straight to the bowler.

16.3

1

Very full in length on off, Taylor goes hard at it and gets it away off the inside edge. It goes through his legs towards square leg and they cross. 150 comes up for New Zealand!

16.2

1

Pitches it up and outside off, slower in pace, Neesham forces it down to long off for a single.

16.1

1

Fetches a full length ball outside off and drags it down to long on for a single.

Pat Brown returns for his final over. 3-0-26-1 are his numbers so far.

15.6

4

FOUR! Shortish length ball around off, Neesham swings his bat across the line and powers it over mid-wicket for a boundary. End of a 9-ball over, 11 runs coming off it.

15.5

.

On a length around leg, Neesham fails to work it across the line and it goes off his pads to short fine leg. Thought given over a run but not taken.

15.4

1

Length delivery around off, Taylor closes the face of his bat and works it behind square leg for one.

15.4

1wd

Struggling big time, Saqib! He slips yet another delivery in this over down the leg side. Called a wide as once again Taylor fails to get any bat behind it.

15.4

1wd

Wide! Fullish ball down the leg side, Taylor tries flicking but misses.

15.3

1

Landed on the leg stump line, Neesham tucks it behind square leg for a single now.

15.2

1

Fuller ball on off, Taylor looks to drive but the ball goes towards long on off the inner half of his bat for a single.

15.2

1wd

WIDE! Saqib's struggle continues. Good length ball angling down the leg side. Taylor leaves it alone, called wide by the umpire.

15.1

1

Saqib starts with a good length ball on middle, Neesham once again turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Saqib Mahmood is back for his third. 2-0-30-0 are his figures so far.

14.6

1

Length ball on middle, Neesham tucks it towards mid-wicket to get off the mark. Impressive over by Curran, just three runs and a big wicket of de Grandhomme in it!

James Neesham is the new man in.

14.5

W

OUT! Caught! This time it's curtains for de Grandhomme. Good length ball on middle, slightly slower in pace. Colin looks to deposit it over the long on fence but mistimes the shot due to the slow pace on the ball. His bat turns at the point of contact and he can only manage to lob it straight to Tom Banton. An excellent innings nonetheless from Colin and the 66-run stand is broken. Beautiful bowling by Tom Curran, he dished out his entire arsenal of variations in this over and eventually succeeded in getting the breakthrough.

14.4

1

A cracking yorker with a little bit of in-drift! Taylor just manages to dig it out off the bottom half of his bat. It goes behind and they attempt for a run. Billings misses his shy at the striker's end otherwise it would have been curtains for Colin de Grandhomme.

14.3

.

Beaten all ends up! Back of a length delivery outside off, once again Tom takes all the pace off this ball. Taylor swings and misses.

14.2

1

Goes for the yorker but it turns out to be a low full toss around leg. Colin gets bat on ball and helps it behind square leg for a run.

14.1

.

Deceives the batsman with a slower one. On a good length outside off, 118.8 kph, de Grandhomme tries to cut but misses.

Tom Curran is back on. 2-0-17-1 from him so far.

13.6

1

Skips down the track and plays a mistimed drive down to long on for a single. 15 from the over, New Zealand continue with their charge.

13.5

1

Helps it off his pads to square leg for one.

13.4

.

Skiddy delivery. On a length outside off and zipping in slightly. Taylor tries to cut but under edges it behind. Rosco wants a run but is sent back as it has rolled straight in front of the keeper.

13.3

6

SIX! Out of here! Taylor loves them there. Gregory pitches it up and the line is very straight. Taylor clears his front leg and muscles his heave over square leg for a maximum.

13.3

1nb

No ball called for height! A bouncer going well over the head of the batsman. Taylor tries to pull but misses. Free Hit stays...

Free Hit coming up...

13.3

5nb

FOUR! Wrong line by Gregory. A touch short and angling down the leg side. Taylor goes to pull but fails to middle. Still he manages to get some part of his bat behind it and the ball speeds away to the fine leg fence. That's not all, Gregory has overstepped.

13.2

1lb

Sliding down the leg side, de Grandhomme tries to flick but misses. It goes behind square leg and they cross for a leg bye. 50-run stand comes up off 33 balls.

13.1

.

Length ball on off, angling in, de Grandhomme defends it back to the bowler.

12.6

1

Yorker outside off, it's squeezed out to point for one. 17 from the over, spoiling the first spell of Brown. His figures now read, 3-0-26-1!

12.5

1

Knocks a length ball down through mid on for a single.

12.4

4

FOUR! First blip in the field for England today. Shortish and outside off, Taylor walks forward and drags his attempted pull shot down to wide long on. Tom Banton overruns to his left slightly and then slides to scoop the ball up with his hand but misses.

12.3

1

It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single.

12.2

6

SIX! High and handsome! Another slower one on middle. The length is on the fuller side and Colin waits for it. Lines himself behind the delivery and launches it over the bowler's head. Lovely followthrough of his bat. 3rd T20I fifty for Colin de Grandhomme!

12.1

4

FOUR! One bounce into the fence! Colin de Grandhomme is looking in fine touch. He picks the slower one early and dismisses it over covers for a boundary.

Pat Brown is back. His figures so far reads, 2-0-9-1.

11.6

1

Wicket to wicket line by Gregory. Colin goes deep inside the crease and dabs it late towards short third man for one. 5 from the over, a good one by Lewis.

11.5

1

Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.

11.4

1

Shortish and outside off, de Grandhomme hangs back and tries to pierce the gap between short third man and backward point. But the fielder from the latter position dives across to his left and makes a half stop. A single is taken.

11.3

1

A slower one on off, it's flicked through mid-wicket for one.

11.2

.

Pitches it up and outside off, it's driven with good timing but finds the cover fielder inside the ring.

11.1

1

Full and angling into the batsman on middle, de Grandhomme eases it down to long on for a run.

Lewis Gregory is inserted into the attack now.

10.6

1

Slower bouncer, Colin pulls it towards deep square leg for a run. 12 from the over.

10.5

2

Full on the pads this time, de Grandhomme flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. This time the ball goes to the right of Tom. He once again gets to the ball quickly but a couple taken.

10.4

2

Length ball outside off, de Grandhomme hammers this down the ground with a lot of power. The ball is racing towards the fence but Tom Banton at long on hares from his position to his left and makes a sliding stop as he saves a couple for his side.

10.4

1wd

WIDE! Another ball down the leg side, way down the leg side actually. De Grandhomme flicks but misses.

10.3

4

FOUR! Poor line with the fine leg up. Full and on the legs, de Grandhomme is not going to miss out on those. He flicks it to the fine leg fence.

10.2

1

Length ball on middle, this time Taylor tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

10.1

1

Full on the pads, Colin flicks it to deep mid-wicket. He wanted the second there but decided against it seeing the fielder getting to the ball quickly.

9.6

1

Tries flicking it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It ricochets to covers for a run. We have reached the halfway stage and New Zealand are 84/3!

9.5

.

Yorks himself! Parkinson gives it a nice toss and serves it in the line of the stumps. De Grandhomme advances down the track and yorks himself in the process. Somehow keeps it out to safety.

9.4

.

Flatter and shorter on off, cut late by Colin but straight to the point fielder.

9.4

2wd

Two wides! Tossed up ball down the leg side, Taylor misses to sweep. The keeper fumbles and deflects it towards short third man. They cross.

9.3

1

Flighted full ball on off, it's chipped over mid off and 'catch it' is the shout. It goes on one drop to the fielder in the deep and the batsmen cross.

9.2

6

SIX! Effortlessly done! A tossed up ball landing full around off, turning away after pitching, de Grandhomme lofts it nonchalantly over extra cover for a biggie. Fantastic.

9.1

1

Floated full ball on off, Taylor drives it through mid off for a single.

8.6

1lb

A 114 kph delivery, angling down the leg side, Taylor fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. They cross for a leg bye.

8.5

.

Plenty of slower ones from Sam. He pitches it up around off, Taylor defends it back.

8.4

.

Curran lets out a grunt to deliver a slower one. Maybe, to fool the batsman. It's on a length around off, Taylor picks it nicely and blocks it on the leg side.

8.3

1

Slower delivery again, on a good length around middle, Colin clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

8.2

.

Play and a miss! Curran bowls a slower one outside off, on a length and angling away from the batsman, de Grandhomme is way too early into his shot and misses.

8.1

1

Fractionally short and on off, Taylor turns it behind square leg with soft hands and picks a single.

Sam Curran is back on. 1-0-8-0 are his figures so far.

7.6

1

Nicely tossed up ball on middle, fuller in length, Taylor eases his flick shot through mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single. Top first over by the leggie, 3 runs and a wicket from it.

Ross Taylor, the most experienced Kiwi batter is out in the middle now. A slip in place for him.

7.5

W

OUT! Massive moment for the debutant! A wicket in his first over and Parkinson is all smiles. Poor shot selection must say. It's premeditated as well. A flighted delivery, landing full around leg, Seifert tries to play an expansive reverse sweep to this one but misses the ball completely. It goes through his legs and tickles the leg stump. Parkinson is over the moon and the developing partnership has been nipped in the bud.

7.4

1

Flighted around off, de Grandhomme lofts it over mid off for a single.

7.3

.

Slower through the air on the pads, Colin looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. A stifled appeal from the bowler but dies down quickly too.

7.2

1

Around middle this time, Seifert sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

7.1

.

Around off and middle, pushed to the right of the bowler.

Spin for the first time this game. Matt Parkinson on debut to roll his arms.

6.6

6

SIX! Dismissed from presence! 30 runs in 2 overs of Mahmood so far. Short in length around off, de Grandhomme swivels on the back foot with his pull shot and finds the sweet spot of his bat. It flies over backward square leg and clears the fence with ease.

6.5

.

Width on offer outside off, de Grandhomme goes hard at it and mistimes his back foot punch to covers.

6.4

.

This time Colin is beaten! Slower one on a length outside off, de Grandhomme is early into his push and misses.

6.3

4

FOUR! And again. Change in pace by the bowler but he offers plenty of width outside off. Colin de Grandhomme delays his shot a bit and smashes it through point.

6.2

4

FOUR! Poor line and duly punished! Angling down the leg side, de Grandhomme picks it up and powers it behind square leg for a boundary.

6.1

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Seifert hops back to make room and strokes his drive firmly. It goes straight to mid off but still they hurry across the pitch for a single.

Saqib Mahmood is back on with the field relaxed. 1-0-15-0 are his figures so far.

5.6

1lb

Short in length on off and middle! Seifert looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body. The ball rolls behind the stumps on the off side. The batters steal a leg bye. 52/2 in the Powerplay, England have pulled things back after a racy start from New Zealand.

5.5

.

Bang on the wickets at the other end. Seifert is robbed of a boundary. He picks the slower full ball on off and drills his drive straight back. It's straight as an arrow and collides with the stumps at the other end.

5.4

.

A heavy delivery this time, on middle and leg, Tim turns it to mid-wicket.

5.3

4

FOUR! 50 comes up for New Zealand! Once again Pat lets out a slower delivery and Seifert picks it very early. He gets behind the line and lofts it over mid off.

5.2

.

Slower one, on a fuller length outside off, Seifert drives it straight to short cover.

5.1

.

Back of a length ball on off, punched down towards mid off. Tim eyed a run initially but the mid off was quick to the ball.

4.6

.

Fullish and on off, de Grandhomme walks forward and drives it back. Good stop in the followthrough by Tom. England have pulled things back in the last two overs.

4.6

1wd

Wide! Sliding down the leg side, Colin swings and misses.

4.5

4

FOUR! Boom! That's hit ferociously. Good length ball just outside off, de Grandhomme shuffles across a bit and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

4.4

.

Beaten! Good length ball outside off, holding its line, de Grandhomme feels for it and gets beaten.

Colin de Grandhomme is in at 4.

4.3

W

OUT! Another good catch in the field from England. They have certainly pulled up their socks after a disappointing outing in the last match. Yet another wicket that can be credited to the slower one. It's a cutter by Tom around leg, Munro fails to pick it and tries to heave it across the line. He is early into the swing of his bat and gives it the top edge of his bat. It balloons towards short third man where Saqib Mahmood dives forward to collect the catch that's dying onto him. Both the Kiwi openers sent to the pavilion in quick succession and England will be relieved.

4.2

1

Drops a length ball with soft hands to mid-wicket and steals a single.

4.1

1

Good length ball on middle, helped to square leg for one.

Tom Curran (1-0-10-0) is back for his second over.

3.6

.

A touch short in length on middle and angling down Seifert tries to flick but misses. It catches him onto the pads and then loops up to hit him on the grille of the helmet as well. A stifled appeal for an lbw dies down quickly. End of a successful over, 6 runs and a big wicket from it.

Tim Seifert is the new man in for the Kiwis.

3.5

W

OUT! Tremendous running catch by Tom Curran! Brown strikes and credit to him for dishing out his variation to fox the on-song Guptill. A knuckle delivery, landing on a length wide outside off, Guptill attempts to launch it over mid off but is beaten due to the lack of pace on the delivery. He ends up slicing it in the air and Tom Curran runs back from extra cover to attempt the catch. He does well to keep his eyes on the ball and grabs it safely. Not easy but he has made that look easy. Yet another start not converted by Guptill but he has done his job.

3.4

4

FOUR! Brown bangs in a short ball around off, Guptill rides the bounce and pulls it powerfully over square leg for a boundary. He's looking in cracking form.

3.3

.

Guptill has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

3.2

1

Slower one on leg, Munro helps it to short fine leg. A single taken. Parkinson misfields slightly but no extra run.

3.1

1lb

Shortish and on middle, angling down, Guptill probably is beaten for pace as he fails to put bat on ball. It takes his thigh pad and rolls near the stumps. The batsmen cross for a brisk leg bye as the keeper gives the charge and tries to kick it onto the stumps. Had he hit, it could have been close.

Pat Brown has been introduced into the attack now.

2.6

1

Angling into the batsman, Guptill eases it down to long on and keeps strike with a single. 15 from the over, NZ have raced to 34 in no time.

2.5

1

Good length delivery on middle, Munro closes the face of his bat and works it to the left of mid on. They cross for an easy run. Colin doing a good job to hand back the strike to his aggressive partner.

2.4

1

Helps a length ball towards square leg and rotates the strike.

2.3

4

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries and Mahmood is under immense pressure. Shortish and down the leg side, Guptill nudges it fine down the leg side for a boundary. Yet again Guptill has got a start here.

Long on is back.

2.2

4

FOUR! No half measures this time! Guptill is on the attack against the young man. Back of a length ball on off, Martin lines himself up behind the delivery and pulls it magnificently over mid-wicket.

2.1

4

EDGY FOUR! Back of a length delivery just outside off, Guptill charges down with the intention of powering it over long on but it takes the outside edge and flies over short third man for a boundary.

Saqib Mahmood replaces Sam Curran in the attack.

1.6

1

Gets behind the line of the delivery and forces it down through mid on for a single. 10 runs from the first over of Tom Curran, an expensive start!

1.5

4

FOUR! A bit edgy on this occasion. Fuller and on middle, Guptill tries flicking it off his pads but it catches the inside edge and beats the short fine leg fielder to his right. Had Guptill missed that ball, he was plumb in front.

1.4

4

FOUR! Wow, this outfield is lightning quick. Good length ball around off, angling in, Guptill does well to glance it across the line and it keeps racing away from the short fine leg fielder.

1.3

.

Swing and a miss! Guptill wants to dominate the bowler but fails to make any contact. A shortish length ball outside off, Martin gives the charge and swings his bat blindly. The ball holds up a bit on the pitch and beats his bat.

1.2

.

Good length ball on off, angling in, Guptill sticks back and brings down a straight bat in defense.

1.1

1

Starts his spell with a slower delivery. On a length around middle, Munro bunts it down to the left of mid on for a run.

Tom Curran to share the attack from the other end.

0.6

1lb

Extra bounce from a good length around middle, Munro fails to work it around. It deflects off his thigh pad towards point and they cross for a leg bye.

0.5

1

Too straight in line, Guptill tucks this length ball behind square leg and rotates the strike.

0.4

4

FOUR! First of the match! Full in length around off, not much movement off the track, Guptill easily picks it up and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

0.3

1

Angling down the leg side, Munro tickles it towards short fine leg where Parkinson makes a fine stop. Cannot prevent the single though.

0.2

1

Back of a length ball on off, Guptill is slightly cramped up for room but still manages to punch it down towards mid on. The fielder from mid-wicket moves across to his left to make a stop with a dive. Fails to do so and the long on fielder comes into play. A single is taken.

0.1

1

Straightaway Munro gives the charge. Curran drops it short around off and Colin drags his attempted pull shot in front of square leg. The fielder in the deep cuts it off and New Zealand open their account with a single.

It's time to get underway! Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are the assigned openers for the Black Caps. Both have been quite inconsistent for the home team and would like to improve their game and provide a strong start in this match. Sam Curran to bowl first up in these windy conditions. A slip in place...

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (C), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner (in for Daryl Mitchell).

England (Playing XI) - Dawid Malan, Tom Banton (in for Jonny Bairstow), James Vince, Eoin Morgan (C), Sam Billings (WK), Sam Curran, Lewis Gregory, Tom Curran (in for Chris Jordan), Saqib Mahmood, Pat Brown, Matt Parkinson (in for Adil Rashid).

Team changes - New Zealand have replaced Daryl Mitchell with Blair Tickner. England have made three changes, of which, two are debutants. Tom Banton and Matt Parkinson are the new faces along with Tom Curran.

Toss - Eoin Morgan calls it wrongly and NEW ZEALAND WILL BAT! Tim Southee thinks that the pitch is on the dry side and hopes that the spinners will come into play later on. The English skipper, on the other hand, was unsure about what to do on this pitch and sounds happy to chase. He has admitted that they need to improve their batting and fielding.

Warm welcome ladies and gentlemen for the third T20I between New Zealand and England at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. The visitors landed the first punch in Christchurch whereas the hosts hit back in Wellington. The 5-match series stands at 1-1 with both teams in the experimental mode before the mega event next year in Australia. A couple of more debutants lined up for the Three Lions in this contest and we will get you the update about them soon.

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3rd T20I, Nelson, November 05, 2019, 06:30 AM

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