Dawid Malan. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England and New Zealand kicked off their multi-format white-ball series with a T20I game as both sides took on each other on The Riverside Ground in Durham on Wednesday, August 30. The game started with New Zealand coming in to bat first after losing the toss.
The Black Caps got off to a horrid start as openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway were sent packing for 21 and three runs, respectively. Furthermore, Tim Seifert was dismissed early for nine runs in six deliveries.
Glenn Phillips did play a resilient knock to stabilize New Zealand’s innings as h amassed 41 runs in 38 deliveries to provide hope to a batting attack that looked to crumble. However, after Phillips, none of the other players amounted to much. Mark Chapman scored 11 runs, Adam Milne scored 10, and Ish Sodhi added 16 runs to the scoreboard as the Black Caps posted 139 runs on the board in the first innings.
Luke Wood and Brydon Carse were the best performers for England, with both bowlers taking three wickets each to added to New Zealand’s misery. Furthermore, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone took one wicket each.
Malan-Brook show propels England to win
Aiming to chase down a target of 140 runs, England put forth a sensational performance with the bat after the top order’s failure, as openers Jonny Bairstow and Will Jacks scored just four and 22 runs, respectively.
The innings belonged to the knocks of Dawid Malan and Harry Brook, with Malan scoring 54 of 42 and Brook amassing unbeaten 43 off 27 deliveries.
The bowling attack of New Zealand put a subpar display with the ball. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi took one wicket each, but it was not enough in the end as England won by seven wickets, reaching to the tagret with whopping six overs to spare.
Here is how fans reacted to the first T20I between England and New Zealand:
The winning moment! 🏆
What a way to get over the line#ENGvNZpic.twitter.com/e18p8CkWkP
— Azam Sajjad (@AzamDON) August 31, 2023
After seeing this expected rubbish performance, Lord I am missing Guptill. 🥹I beg for apology Martin. #ENGvNZ
— Kane Army DSZ (@DeepTakkar3) August 31, 2023
Tum Southee is now the leading wicket taker in T20Is.#ENGvNZ #EngvsNz #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/pq0osSU0RV
— Sknowpedia (@sknowpedia_) August 31, 2023
4️⃣ 4️⃣ 6️⃣
Will Jacks is on the charge! ⚡#EnglandCricket #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/XoCUoqJyOZ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2023
Harry Brook and Brydon Carse guide England to a comfortable win in the first T20I. #ENGvNZ