England Win Series After Washout In Final New Zealand T20 But Brook Left Frustrated

England’s T20 bid against New Zealand ended as it had started, pinch a washout. On a antecedently barren day, nan upwind teased and taunted. Rain first intervened astatine 7.17pm, 2 minutes aft nan commencement of play. After a little resumption it returned, paused, gave nan crushed unit a spot of clip to mop up, allowed nan umpires to schedule a 10pm restart and past fell erstwhile again astatine 9.59pm. Twenty-five balls were bowled.

“You don’t want to travel each nan measurement complete to this portion of nan world and only play 1 game,” Harry Brook said. “Very frustrating.”

For nan record, England won nan flip and chose to bowl. Two of nan first 3 deliveries went for four, some deed by Tim Seifert – a tantalising glimpse of nan benignant of run-scoring a operation of a placid wicket, a chaotic upwind and Eden Park’s diminutive boundaries mightiness person produced.

Two of nan past 3 deliveries went for six, Rachin Ravindra and Seifert pulling into nan stands. New Zealand stood astatine 38 for one, disconnected 3.4 overs, erstwhile nan crippled officially ended.

For each his frustration, Brook astatine slightest has 3 ODIs to come, but 3 members of this England squad will nary longer beryllium progressive erstwhile nan action moves to Mount Maunganui connected Sunday. Zak Crawley (no balls faced) will enactment successful New Zealand to proceed his Ashes preparations while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Jordan Cox (18) caput home.

Friday marks nan first day of Cox being ruled retired of England’s Test bid present pinch a surgery thumb sustained successful training. He must beryllium wishing his luck successful this state would beryllium arsenic unpredictable arsenic nan weather.

This was nan first clip an world had been attempted successful Auckland successful October and neatly illustrated why. “I conjecture this clip of twelvemonth rainfall is ever a potential,” said Mitchell Santner, nan New Zealand captain. “It’s ever bully to play England nary matter what clip of twelvemonth you play.” The rumor being that they spent astir of nan clip they were expected to beryllium playing England not playing England.

The visitors astatine slightest squeezed successful one victory, thereby winning nan series, and Brook’s study of it was arsenic optimistic arsenic whoever scheduled it: “We’ve had a hellhole of a batch of fun,” he said. “We’ve gained a lot. To beryllium capable to walk clip together and effort to go bully mates tin only thief you connected nan field. We’ve had a batch of nosy and smiles. It’s been very worthwhile.”