England go 1-0 up in the four-match T20i series
Emma John’s report is in, so that’ll be enough from me. I’ll be back tomorrow for England Women’s T20i series opener against Sri Lanka. See you then!
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Jos Buttler is a happy man speaking to Simon Doull at the presentation – there’s not really a bad word to say about England’s display today. New Zealand had the upper hand for the first six balls of the match and then England’s attack took over, with Sam Curran the only bowler to not take a wicket. The Black Caps looked a touch off with the bat; they’ve got until Friday night at Old Trafford to sort themselves out.
The winning moment:
What a way to end the game! 💥
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 30, 2023
Liam Livingstone with a huge six and England win the first T20 against New Zealand by 7 wickets 🏴 pic.twitter.com/rALFJ5VfnC
Brydon Carse is named Player of the Match. A wonderful debut for the right-armer, who pummelled the ball in on a length and picked up three wickets at his home ground.
So Harry Brook, the talk of the town, finishes on 43 off 27 balls. But who do you leave out for him? Liam Livingstone, one of his middle-order competitors, finishes on 10 off 4 and, perhaps more crucially, with figures of 1-25 with the ball. Dawid Malan, pressing for a spot in England’s ODI XI, hit a half-century, while Will Jacks – like Brook, not in the ODI side – smashed 22 off 12. The depth is significant.
England win by seven wickets with 36 balls to spare
Brook dabs at a Milne delivery that spins back and just manages to bounce over the stumps! To make matters worse for the bowler, Brook then swats away to midwicket for four. A more pure straight aerial drive follows for a one-bounce four. A single leaves England needing three to win with Livingstone on strike, and he seals it with a six! Milne goes short and a pull sends the ball flying into the Durham crowd. That’s a thrashing.
13th over: England 128-3 (Brook 34, Livingstone 4) Livingstone fends off a Ferguson bumper to pick up two before a high full toss comes the batter’s way. It’s called a no ball for height. And then a front-foot no ball from Ferguson as New Zealand’s evening gets worse. There’s an appeal for a run out, but Brook's dive is good even if it’s muddied his top.
WICKET! Malan c Mitchell b Ferguson 54 (England 116-3)
Some joy for New Zealand as Malan departs. Ferguson bowls a slower ball and Malan miscues the pull shot, lobbing the ball up for mid-on to hold on to.
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12th over: England 116-2 (Malan 54, Brook 28) Sublime from Brook as he pulls Southee for six: minimal footwork, just the purest swing of the bat.
Remember when I said this wouldn’t be a straightforward chase? England need 24 from 48 balls.
Fifty for Dawid Malan
11th over: England 106-2 (Brook 19, Malan 53) Santner trundles through, Malan knocks it about before getting low to sweep over square leg for six. That’ll be his 16th T20I half-century and a return to form after a tough time in The Hundred.
Enjoyed Will Jacks’ knock earlier in the piece, particularly this shot:
Big hit from Will Jacks 6️⃣💥 pic.twitter.com/jSUNU15rqR
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 30, 2023
10th over: England 94-2 (Brook 17, Malan 44) Malan keeps the scoreboard ticking over against Lockie Ferguson, dabbing the ball away to third man. England are technically halfway through their innings but this ain’t going to the 20th.
England need 46 from 60 balls.
9th over: England 88-2 (Malan 39, Brook 16) Sodhi gives Brook some air and the batter launches the ball straight and over long-off for six. A drag-down follows from Sodhi and he’s punished – Brook pulls away for six more. Another short ball arrives from Sodhi, with Brook pulling again to nab a couple. England are in complete control.
8th over: England 73-2 (Malan 38, Brook 2) A quiet over as Santner twirls away.
7th over: England 69-2 (Brook 1, Malan 36) Sodhi greets Harry Brook with a much better googly before Malan gets on one knee to sweep hard and all the way for six! Chapman was on the boundary and launched himself off the turf pretty well but it still went over him.
WICKET! Jacks c Allen b Sodhi 22 (England 62-2)
Sodhi arrives to give it a rip and gets rid of Jacks with a long-hop! It’s a googly that looks like it’s gone wrong, but Jacks doesn’t get anywhere near the desired connection, finding the man at deep backward square.
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6th over: England 61-1 (Malan 29, Jacks 22) After struggling for timing off Milne, Malan drives the fast bowler on the up through the covers for four. Another fine drive follows, and Malan picks up two. After a tricky start England are looking a lot comfier now.
5th over: England 51-1 (Malan 21, Jacks 22) Mitchell Santner is in to bowl and overpitches to Malan, who drives straight for four. The left-armer responds well with a flighted delivery that Malan edges… but the ball runs away for another boundary. Malan then pulls towards deep midwicket where the rapid Phillips runs in for a quarter-chance, but the ball bounces past him to go for a third consecutive four.
4th over: England 36-1 (Malan 8, Jacks 20) Lockie Ferguson enters the game and Jacks tucks in straight away, seeing just enough width for a full-blooded smack through the off side for four. And then… another four. Jacks backs way to the leg side and goes aerial over mid-off. And then six over cover! Full, fast from Ferguson but Jacks gives it everything to send the ball into the crowd. A swat across the line to deep midwicket then gives Jacks two. The right-hander backs away again but Ferguson follows him this time to produce a dot.
3rd over: England 20-1 (Jacks 4, Malan 8) Jacks dances down the pitch to Southee but can only pick up a single. Malan finally lets loose, swatting Southee across the line for four.
2nd over: England 12-1 (Jacks 2, Malan 3) Adam Milne takes over at the other end and Jacks carves through the off side for another single. Milne nips one back into Malan – sharp stuff that slaps the pads. Good pace, good shape and early signs that this won’t be a straightforward chase. Milne shows off one that moves away from Malan before releasing a wide. Malan clips away for a couple.
1st over: England 8-1 (Jacks 1, Malan 1) Dawid Malan is in, and not in great form having made just 28 runs across four innings in The Hundred. After a couple of dots, Southee bowls a wide to the left-hander before Malan runs the ball down to third man for a single. Jacks get one away himself to finish the over.
WICKET! Bairstow c Mitchell b Southee 4 (England 5-1)
Pure flair from Bairstow to begin with, whipping a ball off the pads for four. A leg-side wide follows from Southee as he tries to get the ball to move away from Bairstow’s outside edge.
And then he gets it right! Moving away from Bairstow, the batter prods and the edge flies to Daryl Mitchell at second/third/widish slip.
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Alrighty then, time for the chase. It’s a new-look opening partnership for England, with Will Jacks getting a go alongside Jonny Bairstow. Tim Southee has the ball.
Carse’s figures are actually the best of his 74-match T20 career. His previous best was 3-30.
A ripper of a maiden T20I wicket for Brydon Carse 🔥
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 30, 2023
(via @englandcricket) #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/kEUMlS6CXh
“Thanks for the coverage,” writes in Tom V d Gucht. “I’ve got to say, I’d be interested to hear Salt’s thoughts on his omission for all the autumn series. He seems to be more reliable and consistent recently than Livingstone and Roy as well as having a great Hundred. Also, Mitchell Santer has a real look of Guy Pearce in his specs. Mot really sure how useful this information is, but thought I’d share it.”
I’m guessing we’re talking Guy Pearce in L.A. Confidential? It’s a good shout.
England need 140 to win
Carse finishes up with figures of 3-23, brilliant numbers on a very impressive debut. That was a strange innings from New Zealand: it kicked off with three consecutive sixes from Allen in the first over but they didn’t really go anywhere after that, failing to put together any substantial partnerships. Glenn Phillips top-scored with 41 from 38, and it seems like pace off is the way to go on this pitch. The cutters from England’s seamers have been effective and the spinners got some decent turn too.
WICKET! Sodhi c Curran b Carse 16 (New Zealand 137-9)
A leg-side wide follows from Carse before Southee nails a straight drive for four – cracking hit that. And then another straight hit, but just a couple this time round. Moeen makes a good stop at extra cover before Carse picks up his third! It’s a slower ball from the quick and Sodhi whips high into the leg side, with Curran holding on in the deep.
WICKET! Milne b Carse 10 (New Zealand 129-8)
Carse is back to bowl the final over of the innings… and strikes straight away! It’s a cutter and it cleans up Milne.
19th over: New Zealand 129-7 (Milne 10, Sodhi 16) Sodhi sees a short one from Curran and pulls hard for six! There’s a run-out chance for the bowler from the next ball, but Curran misses as Sodhi gets in at the non-striker’s end. Curran shows off a couple of excellent wide yorkers before Sodhi hits one up high into the air… but it’s straight and no-one’s there to hold on.
18th over: New Zealand 119-7 (Sodhi 8, Milne 9) Livingstone is in to finish his four overs. Sodhi plays a nice lofted shot to extra cover for two but it’s Milne who clears the ropes, dancing down the wicket to find six at cow corner. It’s not a slog either, more of a heavy flick.
17th over: New Zealand 107-7 (Milne 1, Sodhi 4) Fine shot from Ish Sodhi, dabbing a short ball from Wood to third man for four. Wood, who went for three sixes in his first over, bounces back to finish with very handy figures of 3-37.
WICKET! Phillips c Curran b Wood 41 (New Zealand 103-6)
Phillips slaps Wood for four but is out from the very next ball! He smacks this one hard, too, a slower ball from Wood, but Curran takes an excellent catch to his left at long-off.
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16th over: New Zealand 99-6 (Phillips 37, Milne 1) The very effective Livingstone continues and England go up for an lbw review against Phillips – it’s a fuller delivery that is nowhere near Phillips’ foot and pad, hit straight off the bat. Lol.
15th over: New Zealand 96-6 (Phillips 35, Milne 0) Slip and leg-slip in for Adam Milne as England go in for the kill. Rashid twirls away for a couple more dots – there’s little jeopardy out there for the hosts at the moment.
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WICKET! Santner c Wood b Rashid 8 (New Zealand 96-6)
Phillips continues to swat and drive away, but Santner departs! A cut from the left-hander goes straight to Wood at short third man.
14th over: New Zealand 93-5 (Phillips 32, Santner 8) Livingstone continues, bowling offies to the left-handed Santner before switching to leggies for Phillips. The knockabout of singles continues. Reckon New Zealand are hoping for 150 here, England looking to keep them to around 130-140.
13th over: New Zealand 89-5 (Santner 7, Phillips 29) Phillips sees a Curran cutter early and rocks back to pull away for four. Singles are exchanged before Phillips cuts away for two.
12th over: New Zealand 80-5 (Santner 5, Phillips 22) Mitchell Santner is the new batter and he drives through the covers for four to get off the mark.
WICKET! Mitchell c Brook b Livingstone 7 (New Zealand 75-5)
Liam Livingstone gets a go with his all-sorts (leggies, offies, he’s got the whole lot). He gets his leg-break to turn massively past Mitchell’s outside edge, and then a wicket! Mitchell tries to hit down the ground but can only pick out Harry Brook at long-off. Again, some decent turn there from Livingstone and New Zealand continue to struggle.
11th over: New Zealand 74-4 (Phillips 21, Mitchell 7) Carse returns after a short break at the halfway stage, and New Zealand get away with one – Livingstone throws from deep point as Phillips chases two and a direct hit at the keeper’s end would’ve been out. Full from Carse and Phillips drives down the ground for four.
Great comeback from England after a rocket start by the Black Caps @tahahash. Nothing better than hearing the clatter of wickets when you're listening alongside the OBO. An audition for some of the newer class of England players is going well. Carse and Wood asking questions.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) August 30, 2023
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10th over: New Zealand 64-4 (Mitchell 5, Phillips 13) Phillips and Mitchell knock Moeen around for singles as New Zealand try and string together a meaningful stand. Carse pulls off a fine stop at deep point to stop a boundary.
9th over: New Zealand 57-4 (Mitchell 3, Phillips 8) Rashid drops short and Phillips hits down the ground for four off the backfoot.
What he said:
Mo what a ball
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) August 30, 2023
8th over: New Zealand 50-4 (Mitchell 1, Phillips 3) Daryl Mitchell is an excellent player to call upon at No.6 – he really needs to get a partnership going here.
WICKET! Chapman b Moeen 11 (New Zealand 49-4)
Moeen Ali gets to twirl from the other end and Phillips pulls away a long-hop… but can only nab a single. Chapman and Phillips exchange singles before Moeen unfurls a beaut! Around the wicket to the left-hander, the ball dips and straightens to knock over Chapman’s off stump. Vintage Mo.
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7th over: New Zealand 46-3 (Phillips 1, Chapman 10) Adil Rashid enters the fray and Chapman goes big immediately, seeing flight and swinging hard over midwicket for six. Rashid responds with a couple of dots before a shortish googly is slapped down to long-off for one. Phillips gets off the mark with the last ball of the over.
6th over: New Zealand 38-3 (Chapman 3, Phillips 0) Mark Chapman is in as Wood gets the ball to nip away from the left-handed batter. Chapman responds with a nice drive through the covers, picking up three.
WICKET! Seifert b Wood 9 (New Zealand 35-3)
Wood continues and Seifert tucks him around the corner to fine leg for four. And then another wicket! Around the wicket from the left-armer, a cutter and Seifert’s stumps are rattled after he was early on the shot. A good comeback from England this.
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5th over: New Zealand 31-2 (Seifert 5, Phillips 0) In comes Glenn Phillips, a fine batter and, quite possibly, the best outfielder in world cricket. Carse closes out another fine over, going for just two and taking the wicket of the dangerous Allen.
WICKET! Allen b Carse 21 (New Zealand 31-2)
Carse touches 88mph with the first ball of his second over, with Allen hacking away for a single. Seifert pulls away for one himself before Carse goes straight through Allen! Leg stump is knocked over as Allen misses trying to whip across the line.
Brydon Carse has his first T20 wicket for England.
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4th over: New Zealand 29-1 (Allen 20, Seifert 4) Wood greets Tim Seifert with a yorker that the batter digs out. A drive from Seifert can’t beat the diving Bairstow at mid-on, but the right-hander closes the over with a boundary, clipping over midwicket.
WICKET! Conway c Buttler b Wood 3 (New Zealand 25-1)
Wood returns from the other end and gets Conway! He hangs one outside off, Conway chases with a drive on the up, but can only nick off to Buttler.
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3rd over: New Zealand 25-0 (Conway 3, Allen 20) Luke Wood gets taken out and it’s time for Carse on debut. 87mph is what the speed gun has to say about his first three deliveries as Allen fails to get the ball away. A single for Allen is followed by a leg-bye for Conway, and a dot finishes a fine first over in the format for Carse.
2nd over: New Zealand 23-0 (Allen 19, Conway 3) Sam Curran begins from the other end, and Conway picks up two with his first ball before Curran sends down a leg-side wide. A hint of swing from the left-armer as Allen smacks one straight, and it’s a quieter over as New Zealand pick up just five.
1st over: New Zealand 18-0 (Conway 0, Allen 18) A couple of dots to begin with as Allen swishes and misses. But then the right-hander gets one right, very right: he sees one full, no swing, and smashes it over long-off for six. Big ol’ hit that. And then a pull for six more! Back-to-back from Allen as Luke Wood goes short.
Make that three sixes on the bounce! Short again from Wood and Allen repeats the trick, the pull shot sending the ball all the way. The umpires are forced to pick out a new ball; seems like Allen’s whacked the first one out of shape.
Wood responds with a good yorker to close an eventful first over.
Left-arm quick Luke Wood has the new ball. Let’s play!
Out come the Southern Brave, sorry, New Zealand opening pair of Finn Allen and Devon Conway.
A nice moment for Durham’s Brydon Carse, debuting on his home ground. He’s not got the best T20 record – 36 wickets @ 44.77 – but has looked the part when he’s played ODI cricket for England and bowls at a decent lick.
No Gus Atkinson today, but a proud moment for Brydon Carse, handed his cap by fellow Durham and England speedster Mark Wood 🧢#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/k104WwGQzl
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 30, 2023
David Williams writes in: “Hope to be proven wrong but there looks a notable disparity in quality between the two sets of bowlers with NZ high on pace and experience.”
True: Southee, Ferguson and Milne is a particularly fine pace trio, and I do love watching Ish Sodhi give it a twirl. But I reckon England are just happy to use this series to experiment with their quicks, giving their main guys a rest ahead of the ODIs.
New Zealand’s XI:
Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (c), Lockie Ferguson
England’s XI:
We’ll have to wait a bit longer for an Atkinson debut. This is interesting – Jos Buttler moves down the order, with Will Jacks getting a go up top alongside Jonny Bairstow. Brydon Carse makes his T20I bow.
🪙 We've won the toss and will bowl first!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2023
Here's how we line up this evening 👇
England win the toss and choose to bowl first
No particular reason for the decision, says Jos Buttler.
Before we get underway, here’s today’s landmark news:
Preamble
Hello folks, it’s been a while! The Hundred’s all wrapped up and it’s time to get onto the next thing: the World Cup train. Sure, this is a four-match T20I series but every hit on the park for England’s men over the next few weeks will partly be about fine-tuning ahead of the 50-over show in India, beginning in October.
If you don’t want to get into the grander narrative and are just looking forward to what’s on offer today, well, that’ll do too. This is England’s first T20I on home soil since they won the World Cup last year; in fact, this is their first white-ball game anywhere since March. Yes, it really has been a while.
In the interim, some have caught the eye on the domestic circuit, in particular Gus Atkinson. The Surrey and Oval Invincibles quick is in an England squad for the very first time and he’s got wheels, an action not dissimilar to Jofra Archer and the love of the England selectors – he’s already landed a spot for the World Cup.
I’m all in on the Harry Brook story. He’s been left out of England’s ODI plans and at present isn’t in the 15 for the World Cup. But he’s also Harry Brook, capable of playing every shot going, with touches of genius in his straight biff down the ground. Any substantial scores in this series and the noise will grow over why he’s on the outer. It’s a tough old squeeze to get him into that squad and England can win the World Cup without him – but he is just very good, isn’t he?
Anyway, I’m around for the rest of today. Drop me a line whenever you fancy and let’s talk World Cup XIs, Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, whatever you like.
