In what was a dramatic finish, minnows New Zealand squared the 4-match T20I series by 2-2 after losing both the first two games in this series. It was an amazing turnaround as New Zealand were missing out on many of their international stars in this format.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
T20I #1: England won 7 wickets with 36 balls remaining
New Zealand only managed to put 139/9 runs on the board in 20 overs after being put to bat first by the hosts. Glenn Phillips (41 off 38) was the only Kiwi player to cross the 20-run mark in this match! England, in reply, meant business during the run-chase as they got to the target in just 14 overs. Brydon Carse was adjudged Player of the Match for his bowling figures of 3/23 from his 4 overs.
T20I #2: England won by 95 runs with 37 balls to spare
Special knocks from Jonny Bairstow (86* off 60) and Harry Brook (67 off 36) propelled England to 198/4 in 20 overs. New Zealand succumbed to the ever-increasing Required Run Rate and were bowled out for just 103 runs conceding a big victory. With this victory, England had taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.
T20I #3: New Zealand won by 74 runs with 9 balls to spare
Opener Finn Allen scored 83 runs off 53 deliveries while Glenn Phillips (69 off 34) late assault helped the Kiwis score 202/5 in 20 overs. Jos Buttler (40 off 21) and Moeen Ali (26 off 16) were the only English batters to cross 20-mark in this innings as England lost the match in the end by 74 runs.
T20I #4: New Zealand won by 6 wickets
Jonny Bairstow launched an assault after England opted to bat first. He was dismissed for 73 runs in the 12th over and they ended up only with 175/8 in 20 overs. There were three scores in the 40s as the visitors snatched a fine victory in this match by 6 wickets. New Zealand were able to level the 2-2 even though they lost the first two games very cheaply!
