New Zealand bounced back from a thumping in the opening match to level the series in Wellington.
England were put under pressure for the first time on the tour, and their batsmen didn’t respond well.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Third T20I | Tuesday 5 November 2019 | Saxton Oval, Nelson | 03:00
To Win Match
New Zealand 72/100
Tie 35/1
England 23/20
New Zealand
The Black Caps found the extra twenty runs they needed to reverse the pressure on touring England thanks to a solid start from Martin Guptill and a big finish from Jimmy Neesham.
New Zealand’s bowlers were most impressive in getting them back into the series with spinner Mitchell Santner building on individual success in the series opener, while the rest stepped up with improved displays.
The Black Caps don’t have a whole lot of established stars, but they work hard to be competitive across all areas of the hame. The intensity that was absent in the series opener returned to help them snatch the impetus from the tourists.
Tim Southee used his attack to better effect in England’s second chase of the series, and a steady stream of wickets powered them to victory.
England
England showed they are susceptible to collapse if one of their top three doesn’t play a big innings. Jonny Bairstow and James Vince made fifties in the opener, but both made just one in the second and England couldn’t recover.
The second match should also impress upon Eoin Morgan, the need for him to see things through in the middle-order. His departure marked the end of the English challenge in Wellington.
The lower order did not have the guile to get England close to the total without their big guns.
England’s young seamers Pat Brown and Saqib Mahmood took some punishment in their respective second matches getting lined up by the Kiwis big-hitters.
Verdict: New Zealand 72/100
England’s lack of experience could hurt them in this series.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
