Even before the downpour started, England's winter campaign had turned into a lackluster beginning. On a cool Christchurch night, the team's batsmen were caught off guard by seam movement – “You don’t expect that in white-ball cricket, so when it does do a little bit it’s almost a shock,” remarked Harry Brook. Additionally, they were slowed down by the bowling of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, struggling to 81 for five until first Sam Curran appeared to rescue them, followed by the rain definitively did.
Feeble Beginning for England
Only two batters managed more than 20, and the fall of Jos Buttler for twenty-nine, the former captain turning into the fifth wicket to fall, marking a sluggish start to England’s innings until Sam Curran's forty-nine boosted their total.
“To have him back in the side, he’s a very valuable player to us now with bat, ball and in the field,” commented Harry Brook. “For him to get us out of a bit of a hole and up to a respectable total was awesome. He’s a valuable player to have in the middle order, a left-hander as well – he’s going to be around for a while, I think.”
The Batsman's Milestone Marred
Prior to the match, Harry Brook had been presented with a special award – almost identical to his standard one – to celebrate his 50th appearance in T20 cricket, the skipper becoming the 14th Englishman to reach this milestone. But, the highlight on his cap was the only high point of his evening, which included a unsuccessful toss and a equally disappointing exit, bowled leg before wicket just as he got into form after a slow start.
Curran’s Fortunate Escapes
What luck England experienced was eagerly seized by Curran, who was helped by three extraordinary let-offs. At 14 runs when he skied a Duffy ball toward the Christchurch air, from which precipitation had, fortunately, begun to come down. The ball returned slippery and promptly escaped the fielder's grasp.
A 10-minute rain delay and seven deliveries later, Curran, at 26 runs, lifted the ball to the fielder, where Robinson stood still but nonetheless could not handle it. Next, in the following over, he tried to paddle a Kyle Jamieson ball that was too full for that action, failed to connect entirely, and was trapped on the leg.
There was little doubt about where the ball was going, and the on-field umpire agreed, but by this point Curran was the final key batsman and the team had reviews to spare. Upon reviewing at a replay, the player was halfway to the dressing room, gloves off, when it was established that the ball had landed beyond leg stump and he was called back. He added 19 more off his final deliveries to carry England to 153 for six, at which moment the rain resumed to end the contest.
Squad Confidence Stays Strong
However, their inability to handle the questions presented by New Zealand’s attack does not mean England will be seeking any alternative solutions. “Obviously we didn’t get the start we wanted but the message is going to be just double down,” said the batsman. “There’s a reason why the team is laid out the way it is – because if we get into situations like that we always have someone who can get us out of the problem.”
New Zealand’s Positive View
In spite of those two drops, the Kiwis will be buoyed up by the way they dismantled the English supposedly deep order, their six bowlers taking a wicket apiece. “Not knowing how the game would have played out we can only judge on our performance and I guess we’re happy with where we’re at,” said Jamieson. “We’ve progressed since facing Australia recently. It’s about development; staying on this track is a victory and defines our success.”
