11:14 IST: Victorious England captain, Eoin Morgan, says that he is delighted with the result, first of all, being surprised that they manged to get a game given the conditions. Praises both sides for playing really well in a 11-over game and adds that Chris Jordan was super in the Super Over. On his stunning catch, Morgan says that he himself is surprised and believes that lot of money would have lost by people betting on him to drop the catch. On his thoughts about playing an extended game, Eoin says that none of the players would have minded it, given the excitement it caused.
11:13 IST: New Zealand captain, Tim Southee, feels that it was a great entertainment for the crowd but is sad that he could not finish on the right side of it. On being asked abut 146, Southee says that he did feel that it might be enough but adds that now-a-days, nothing can be taken for granted. Feels that it was a terrific T20I series and is looking forward to the Tests now.
11:12 IST: MITCHELL SANTNER HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. No interview. Strange.
11:12 IST: JONNY BAIRSTOW HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Bairstow says that it does feel nice to score some runs and add value to the team’s cause. Feels the pitch was excellent for the batsmen. Admits that 147 was imposing but also says that there were a few guys in the team who have played T10 cricket and they had the confidence. Hopes to take this momentum into the Test series.
11:09 IST: Now, England. How did they win this? Just like they did on July 14, 2019. The Kiwis were the better side for the major portion of the game but the visitors won crucial moments. For instance, after going for 55 in the first 3 overs, stemming the run flow. At that stage, some might have expected even 200 from the Kiwis. Then, with the bat, to pull off a heist in spite of losing Morgan, then Bairstow. Hats off to the Sam Currans and the Chris Jordans who made fans believe that if you stay till the end, you can still cross the line. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
11:07 IST: With the bat, one has to question the shot selections by some of the Kiwi batsmen. They got out to the longest part of the boundary which should not have been the case. Targetting the right areas to the correct side of the ground, is the ideal way to go.
11:03 IST: One of the few decisions was the choice to let Tim Seifert face the first ball of the Super Over. Too high a pressure to let the youngster face. Guptill should have faced it. Then backtracking, some of the bowling lengths, allowing Sam Curran to get some easy runs and then that final over from Chris Jordan – full tosses at that stage?
11:00 IST: Finally, the match ends. A game which should have started at 2 pm local and ended at 5.30 pm, started around 4 pm and has ended at 6.30 pm instead. But what a thriller. Boiling down to the last ball of the regular game and then into the Super Over. England have been given back what they gave in Nelson. The Kiwis had this in the bag – but some poor decisions cost them the game.
10:57 IST: Ball 6: Chris Jordan to Colin de Grandhomme, DOT BALL. ENGLAND WIN BY 9 RUNS IN THE SUPER OVER! It is over. Jordan has done it. Outside off, de Grandhomme punches it away but it is straight to cover. The batsmen do not even bother running, helplessly looking at the cock-a-hoop English side.
10:56 IST: Ball 5: Chris Jordan to Martin Guptill, 1 RUN. That should be the series for England! 10 NEEDED FROM THE FINAL BALL! Guptill is unhappy. In fact, he is furious. Full and outside off, Martin smashes this down to long off and all he can get is a single.
10:55 IST: Colin de Grandhomme walks in now.
10:54 IST: Ball 4: Chris Jordan to Tim Seifert, OUT! Brilliant catch from Morgan! The Kiwis need 11 from 2 balls now! Full and outside off, Seifert swings his bat, looking to go inside out but his bottom hand comes off the bat and the ball is skewed high in the air. It looks like the ball will clear the fielder but Eoin Morgan races to his left from cover, keeps his eyes on the ball, dives and takes a stunner!
10:54 IST: Ball 3: Chris Jordan to Tim Seifert, DOT BALL! Full and outside off, Seifert gets across, looks to ramp but misses. 11 NEEDED FROM 3 NOW.
10:53 IST: Ball 2: Chris Jordan to Tim Seifert, FOUR! 11 NEEDED FROM 4 NOW! Full toss, outside off, Seifert backs away and gets it over mid off. The fielder runs back, dives to pull it back in but it is in vain!
10:52 IST: Ball 2: Chris Jordan to Tim Seifert, WIDE! The bowler cannot be blamed for that. Tim backs away to the leg side and Jordan bowls it wide outside off. TS reaches out, looking to carve it away but misses. Jordan is not happy with that call. 15 NEEDED FROM 5.
10:52 IST: Ball 1: Chris Jordan to Tim Seifert, 2 RUNS. Full and outside off, Seifert gets down and across and scoops it wide of fine leg, for a couple. 16 needed from 5.
10:50 IST: Right. The players are back out in the middle. Chris Jordan is the man decided by England. He changes ends though. Not quite sure what is the rule. Nasser Hussain believes that both bowlers should be bowling from one end – whichever be it. Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert are the openers. Looks like Colin de Grandhomme will bat at 3. Here we go…
10:45 IST: How ironic is this? New Zealand scored 17 off the first over of this match. And they need 18 off the last over to win the series. Southee missed his length twice in that Super Over and was punished brutally. 18 is a bit too much to get but on this ground, can anyone say anything? Who will be England’s Jofra Archer or Ben Stokes tonight?
10:44 IST: Ball 6: Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan, 2 RUNS. Nice delivery to finish. Low full toss and around middle, Eoin drags this wide of long on and comes back for the second. NEW ZEALAND NEED 18 TO WIN!
10:44 IST: Ball 5: Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, 1 RUN. Around middle, pushed to long on for a run. JB wants the second but Morgan rightly sends him back. 15 OFF 5.
10:43 IST: Ball 4: Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, SIX! Jonny time! Southee goes length and Bairstow sends him north. Around middle, Jonny goes deep in his crease and swings it miles over long on! 14 OFF 4.
10:42 IST: Ball 3: Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan, 1 RUN. Around middle, just short of a yorker, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 8 OFF 3.
10:41 IST: Ball 2: Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan, SIX! First of the big hits in the Super Over! 7 off 2. Right in the slot, a length ball, around off, Morgan gets underneath it and sends it sailing over long on!
10:41 IST: Ball 1: Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, 1 RUN. Full on middle, swung down the ground to long on for a single.
10:40 IST: New Zealand bowled better than England but lost it towards the end. They started well, let it loose after Morgan got out, then got it back, only to lose it again. Here come the players again. Bairstow and Morgan are the openers. Tim Southee has taken the responsiblity of bowling the Super Over.
10:39 IST: We did feel that 146 may not be enough in 11 overs on this ground. But at 39/3, it seemed like New Zealand had it in their bag. But then Bairstow took over and got it down to 47 from 25 balls before his departure triggered a collapse. And then, we had a Neesham nightmare or a Jordan special – whichever way you look at it.
10:37 IST: Seen everything now. Almost 300 scored in a 22-over match. And a Super Over at the end of it. The last match of the T20I series has fittingly boiled down to this.Score 146/7BatsmanChris Jordan12(3b 1*4 1*6)BowlerJames Neesham 2-0-25-2
10:35 IST: 10.6: J Neesham to C Jordan, FOUR! IT IS A SUPER OVER! Everyone is smiling. Neesham cannot believe the Christmas gift he just gave. Jordan smiles and feels he was just two metres from winning it here itself for his side. A full toss, around middle, Chris pulls it behind square leg, one bounce and into the fence!
10:34 IST: 5 needed off the final ball. Super Over? Six?
10:33 IST: 10.5: J Neesham to C Jordan, Full and around middle, swung through mid-wicket for a brace.
10:33 IST: 10.4: J Neesham to C Jordan, SIX! That has gone off the toe end! A high full toss outside off, Jordan throws his bat at it but does not get it cleanly. Trent Boult gets across from sweeper, leaps for the catch but it sails over!
10:32 IST: Chris Jordan walks in. Remember that second T20I?
10:31 IST: 10.3: J Neesham to Tom Curran, OUT! Caught at short third man! A length ball, pretty wide outside off, Curran throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies thick and fast but straight to Colin de Grandhomme at a very fine short third man! Well done, Mr. Southee. Who keeps a short third man so fine? Well, you did.
10:30 IST: 10.2: J Neesham to Sam Billings, Outside off, on a length, punched down the ground. The ball races away but Tim Southee at mid off slides across to his right to stop the ball. Just a single. 13 needed from 4 balls.
10:30 IST: 10.1: J Neesham to Sam Billings, Yorker on middle, dug out back past the bowler. Mid off gets across and slides but by that time, two runs are taken!Score 131/6BatsmanSam Billings8(8b 1*4 0*6)BowlerTim Southee 2-0-22-1
10:28 IST: 9.6: Tim Southee to Sam Billings, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. They pick up a single. Leg bye given by the umpire.
10:27 IST: 9.5: Tim Southee to Tom Curran, The batsman has dug out that yorker at the last second. They pick up a single.
10:27 IST: 9.4: Tim Southee to Sam Billings, Outside off, Billings carves this high in the air. Guptill comes running in from sweeper but the ball lands in front! A run taken.
10:26 IST: 9.3: Tim Southee to Tom Curran, Dropped short, pulled away for a single.
10:25 IST: 9.2: Tim Southee to Sam Billings, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
10:25 IST: 9.2: Tim Southee to Sam Billings, WIDE. The batsman goes after this one but misses the line completely. Wide signalled by the umpire.
10:25 IST: 9.1: Tim Southee to Sam Billings, FOUR! Down the leg side, paddled over short fine leg!Score 121/6BatsmanTom Curran10(6b 0*4 1*6)BowlerTrent Boult 3-0-35-2
10:24 IST: 8.6: T Boult to Tom Curran, BILLINGS SLIPS WHILE BOULT LETS THE BALL SLIP! Comical scenes. Full and around off, Curran whips it through mid-wicket and calls for two. Now, Billings touches his bat at the striker’s end, he slips and loses his bat. He still continues to run and is gone for all money as the throw comes in to the bowler. But Boult messes it up and fumbles the ball! Pressure! Nerves!
10:23 IST: 8.5: T Boult to Tom Curran, Outside off, Curran gets across and attempts a reverse scoop but misses.
10:23 IST: 8.5: T Boult to Tom Curran, WIDE! Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. Wide signalled by the umpire.
10:23 IST: 8.4: T Boult to Tom Curran, SIX! A length ball, around middle, Curran swings it over mid-wicket!
10:22 IST: 8.3: T Boult to Tom Curran, Outside off, Curran backs away and attempts another slice but misses.
10:21 IST: 8.2: T Boult to Sam Billings, NOT OUT. Impact is outside off. Waste of a review from the Kiwis. Full and around off, Billings gets across to scoop but misses and is hit on the pads. Boult appeals for LBW but the umpire moves away. Boult convinces his skipper to take the review and Southee obliges. But Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside off.
10:19 IST: An LBW review against Billings! Looks like the impact is outside off. Yes. Ball Tracker confirms. Review lost for New Zealand.
10:18 IST: 8.1: T Boult to Sam Billings, Full and outside off, pretty wide, Billings gets across and looks to slice but misses.
10:18 IST: Boult is back.Score 111/6BatsmanSam Billings2(2b 0*4 0*6)BowlerMitchell Santner 2-0-20-2
10:17 IST: 7.6: M Santner to Sam Billings, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single. 11 runs and 2 wickets from the over – game -changer from Santner.
10:17 IST: 7.5: M Santner to Tom Curran, Short and outside off, cut through point for one.
10:16 IST: 7.4: M Santner to Sam Billings, Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
10:16 IST: 7.3: M Santner to Tom Curran, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
10:15 IST: Tom Curran walks to the crease.
10:15 IST: 7.2: M Santner to L Gregory, OUT! Caught! Third wicket in the span of 4 balls! Outside off, Gregory backs away and looks to go over cover but finds Tim Southee there, who takes the easiest of catches!
10:14 IST: 7.1: M Santner to L Gregory, SIX! As easy as you like. Tossed up, on middle, Gregory comes down the track and swings it over long on!
10:13 IST: Lewis Gregory walks in to face the team hat-trick.
10:13 IST: 7.1: M Santner to Sam Curran, OUT! WIDE AND STUMPED! Beautiful bowling by Santner and exceptional keeping by Seifert. The bowler senses the charge from Curran and fires it wide outside off. Sam is not to the pitch of the ball and has to reach out but misses. Because the ball is wide, even Seifert has to reach out to his left to collect. But he does so with ease, takes a while and disturbs the bails. Curran dives back and it is referred upstairs. Close to call. Finally, after a few replays, the third umpire is convinced that the lights illuminate before the bat touched the crease.
10:11 IST: Stumping appeal against Sam Curran! Gone? It is tricky. Photo-finish! Has Curran’s bat landed when the ball whipped the bails? Nope! Gone!
10:11 IST: Sam Billings walks in.Score 100/4BatsmanJonny Bairstow47(18b 2*4 5*6)BowlerJames Neesham 1-0-10-1
10:10 IST: 6.6: J Neesham to J Bairstow, OUT! Caught behind! Bairstow is gone! Does that change the situation again? A length ball outside off, Jonny looks to steer it to third man but only manages a thick outside edge. Easy catch for Seifert and JB walks off! What a knock though. 47 from 18 balls. The equation reads 47 from 24 balls.
10:08 IST: 6.5: J Neesham to J Bairstow, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.
10:08 IST: 6.4: J Neesham to J Bairstow, Full and wide outside off, Bairstow backs away to the leg side, then tries to reach out to hit the ball. Slips but manages to get it behind point. Nice work from Colin de Grandhomme.
10:07 IST: 6.3: J Neesham to Sam Curran, The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.
10:06 IST: 6.2: J Neesham to J Bairstow, Outside off, punched through the off side for a single.
10:06 IST: 6.1: J Neesham to J Bairstow, SIX! SLAP! What a sound that made of the bat. A short ball, outside off, Bairstow pulls it over mid-wicket for a flat hit!
10:05 IST: James Neesham time.Score 90/3BatsmanJonny Bairstow38(13b 2*4 4*6)BowlerIsh Sodhi 1-0-22-0
10:04 IST: 5.6: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total. 22 from the over, 57 needed from 30 balls. The game has changed!
10:04 IST: 5.5: Ish Sodhi to Sam Curran, Driven towards the long off region. They pick up a single.
10:04 IST: 5.4: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
10:03 IST: 5.4: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, WIDE. Well outside off, left alone.
10:03 IST: 5.3: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, SIX! Hat-trick of sixes! Full and outside off, Bairstow shimmies down the track and clears long on!
10:03 IST: 5.2: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, SIX! Outside off, hammered straight back over the bowler!
10:02 IST: 5.1: Ish Sodhi to J Bairstow, SIX! Full and outside off, Bairstow gets underneath it and swings it over long off!Score 68/3BatsmanSam Curran22(9b 2*4 2*6)BowlerScott Kuggeleijn 1-0-20-0
10:02 IST: 4.6: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, Around middle, another swing and a miss.
10:01 IST: 4.5: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, Gets across his stumps and looks to paddle but misses.
10:01 IST: 4.4: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, SIX! Highly skillful batting. A length ball, outside off, carved over cover for a boundary!
10:01 IST: 4.3: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, SIX! Extra pace from Kuggeleijn and it goes! Short and outside off, Tom backs away and slices his cut over third man!
10:00 IST: 4.2: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, FOUR! Intelligent batting. A short ball, around leg, Curran swivels across this time and pulls it over short fine leg!
10:00 IST: 4.1: S Kuggeleijn to Sam Curran, FOUR! Beautiful balance. Full and outside off, Tom backs away to the leg side and carves it over cover for a boundary!Score 48/3BatsmanJonny Bairstow18(8b 2*4 1*6)BowlerMitchell Santner 1-0-9-0
09:59 IST: 3.6: M Santner to J Bairstow, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball – but fails.
09:59 IST: 3.5: M Santner to Sam Curran, The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
09:59 IST: 3.4: M Santner to J Bairstow, The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
09:58 IST: 3.3: M Santner to J Bairstow, SIX! Nicely hit. Full and around middle, Bairstow swings this cleanly over long on!
09:57 IST: 3.2: M Santner to Sam Curran, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
09:57 IST: 3.1: M Santner to Sam Curran, Down the leg side, Curran misses his flick and is hit on the pads.Score 39/3BatsmanEoin Morgan17(7b 1*4 2*6)BowlerTrent Boult 2-0-26-2
09:56 IST: 2.6: T Boult to E Morgan, OUT! Caught! Is that the game? Boult haas got a massive wicket. Full and outside off, Morgan looks to get underneath it and go big over the off side but he is a touch too early into the shot. Skies this massively in the air and Scott Kuggeleijn at long off judges the catch well by running in. 39/3 for England in the Powerplay. 108 more needed from 48 balls. Sam Curran has been sent up at number 5.
09:56 IST: 2.5: T Boult to E Morgan, Full and down the leg side, Eoin gets across to flick but misses. He looks for the wide but is not granted.
09:55 IST: 2.5: T Boult to E Morgan, WIDE. Pressure on Boult as he sprays this miles outside leg.
09:55 IST: 2.4: T Boult to E Morgan, SIX! A short ball, around off, Morgan swivels and pulls it massively over deep backward square leg!
09:55 IST: 2.3: T Boult to E Morgan, FOUR! Nicely hit. Full on middle, Morgan powers this through mid on!
09:54 IST: 2.2: T Boult to E Morgan, SIX! Around middle, Morgan swings it cleanly over mid-wicket!
09:53 IST: 2.1: T Boult to E Morgan, Outside off, a play and a miss.Score 22/2BatsmanJonny Bairstow11(5b 2*4 0*6)BowlerTim Southee 1-0-13-1
09:53 IST: 1.6: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! This is classy from Bairstow. Full and outside off, Jonny reaches out and guides it between short third man and backward point!
09:53 IST: 1.5: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, A low full toss, outside of, pushed back to the bowler.
09:52 IST: 1.5: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, WIDE. Second of the over. This is down the leg side.
09:52 IST: 1.4: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Around middle, turned through square leg for a couple.
09:52 IST: 1.3: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Landed outside off, Bairstow backs away and guides it nicely between short third man and backward point!
09:51 IST: 1.3: Tim Southee to J Bairstow, WIDE! A bouncer, around middle, Jonny ducks and it is wided.
09:51 IST: 1.2: Tim Southee to E Morgan, Yorker outside off, squeezed through point for a single.
09:42 IST: The captain comes in now. Eoin Morgan. He needs that 91 again…
09:41 IST: 1.1: Tim Southee to J Vince, OUT! Caught! Straight down the throat. Full and outside off, Vince gets underneath it and aims to clear mid off but can only find Scott Kuggeleijn there. On second thoughts, will this be a blessing in disguise for England?
09:40 IST: Tim Southee to share the new ball with Boult.Score 9/1BatsmanJames Vince1(1b 0*4 0*6)BowlerTrent Boult 1-0-9-1
09:40 IST: 0.6: T Boult to J Vince, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. A sensational opening over from Boult.
09:39 IST: James Vince walks in at number 3, replacing Banton.
09:39 IST: 0.5: T Boult to Tom Banton, OUT! LBW! Full and around leg, swinging in, Tom misses his swing and is hit on the pads. Boult appeals and the umpire raises his finger! Banton has a chat with Bairstow and is advised to take it upstairs. Now, here comes some drama. Replays show that the ball hit the front pad and then deflected onto the back pad. But the Ball Tracker picks the back pad impact and rules the decision as correct, with the ball projected to be hitting the stumps. But, the third umpire looks at the replays again and understands that it is the wrong projection. He asks the producer to get Ball Tracker on again and this time, the correct impact is produced. The ball is now projected to be clipping leg stump. So, the decision still stays out, but if the third umpire had not re-checked Ball Tracker, England would have lost a review.
09:39 IST: 0.4: T Boult to Tom Banton, SIX! That has been hit off a half volley. Around middle, swung over long on!
09:38 IST: 0.3: T Boult to J Bairstow, Full and around off, pushed past the diving bowler, down the ground for a run.
09:38 IST: 0.2: T Boult to Tom Banton, On middle, flicked through square leg for a single.
09:37 IST: 0.1: T Boult to Tom Banton, Full and outside off, slower in pace, Banton looks to drive but misses.
09:33 IST: Can’t even go for a bathroom break. The players are back on already. Tom Banton and Jonny Bairstow are the openers. Trent Boult to start off to Banton. Here we go…
09:31 IST: 147 to chase. Enough? Not enough? Don’t know! This is the same ground where Australia gunned down 244 in a T20I against New Zealand. So… brace yourselves for more carnage. Stay tuned.
09:30 IST: Martin Guptill is down for a chat. Guppy says that he is pleased with the total, although he adds that they would have liked a few more runs. Admits that the boundaries are small but they cherished those. Is happy with his opening partnership with Munro. Believes that if New Zealand hit the right lengths, they can defend this target.
09:30 IST: England cannot blame the short boundaries for this carnage. It took them 3 overs to decide what lengths to bowl but when they learnt, they applied themselves well. Adil Rashid was the best of the bowlers, with 1/34 in his 3 overs. This was after he went for 15 in his first.
09:28 IST: With the game beginning 2 hours post the scheduled start, Guptill and Munro wasted no time in going bonkers. Their 83-run opening stand set the platform for a huge total as 55 came in the 3-over Powerplay. It was Guptill to attack, followed by Munro. Towards the end, Seifert played a decent cameo as New Zealand almost got to 150.
09:27 IST: ‘When is the T10 League starting?’ one of my colleagues had asked me a few days back. Looking at the schedule, we thought that it was November 15. I think it has been pushed ahead to November 10. What. A. Carnage.Score 146/5BatsmanRoss Taylor3(3b 0*4 0*6)BowlerTom Curran 2-0-30-1
09:23 IST: 10.6: Tom Curran to R Taylor, OUT! A run out to end the innings. Full on middle, Taylor works this through square leg and calls for two. Sam Curran gives it a good chase from deep fine leg to his left, picks the ball up and returns a semi-decent throw. But that is good enough as Billings, in spite of having to run ahead from the stumps to fetch the throw, does so and then back-flicks it onto the stumps. Rosco is nowhere in the picture. NZ FINISH ON 146/5!
09:22 IST: 10.5: Tom Curran to R Taylor, Oops… full and outside off, Rosco looks to play a reverse scoop but misses. Neesham is halfway down the track for the bye but Taylor does not know where the ball is. Jimmy is sent back.
09:21 IST: 10.4: Tom Curran to R Taylor, Full on middle, whipped through mid-wicket for a couple.
09:20 IST: Ross Taylor walks in with 3 deliveries to go. What can he do?
09:20 IST: 10.3: Tom Curran to Tim Seifert, OUT! BOWLED! Perfect yorker. Spot on, right at the base of middle stump, Seifert is late in picking it and hence, is late in bringing his bat down. Boom. Gozunder. Nice cameo – 39 from 16.
09:19 IST: 10.2: Tom Curran to Tim Seifert, SIX! This one disappears too. A high full toss, around off, Seifert backs away and slams it over long off. He looks at the umpires for a possible no ball check but they are fine with it.
09:18 IST: 10.1: Tom Curran to J Neesham, Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
09:17 IST: Tom Curran to bowl the final over. Went for 20 in his first.Score 136/3BatsmanTim Seifert33(14b 1*4 4*6)BowlerSam Curran 2-0-33-1
09:16 IST: 9.6: Sam Curran to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Drilled! Three dots to start, three boundaries to finish. What a mixed over for Sam Curran. Full and outside off, Seifert backs away again and hammers it between extra cover and mid off!
09:15 IST: 9.5: Sam Curran to Tim Seifert, SIX! Swatted! Brendon McCullum would have been proud of that shot. A short ball, around off, angling away, Seifert moves leg side and swats it over mid-wicket for a flat hit!
09:15 IST: 9.4: Sam Curran to Tim Seifert, SIX! Nicely played. Full and outside off, Seifert gets down and across and scoops it over fine leg!
09:14 IST: 9.3: Sam Curran to Tim Seifert, Full and down the leg side, Tim gets across to flick but misses and wears it on the pads. He looks for the single, not knowing where the ball is, which is rolling back towards the bowler. Now, he sees Curran running in towards him and Seifert tries to get back. Sam misses his under-arm flick and I doubt Tim would have got in even with a dive.
09:14 IST: 9.2: Sam Curran to Tim Seifert, Full and around middle, Seifert drills it back but Sam leaps to his left, sticks out his hand and makes a half stop.
09:13 IST: James Neesham walks in at number 5, replacing Munro.
09:12 IST: 9.1: Sam Curran to C Munro, OUT! Caught! Fodder is thrown and cow corner gobbles it up. Another man gets caught at the longer side of the boundary. A length ball, outside off, Munro looks to swing but gets it on the higher part of the bat. There is not much distance and James Vince at deep mid-wicket pouches it with ease.
09:12 IST: Change of ends for Sam Curran as he prepares for his last over. 17 in his opener.Score 120/2BatsmanColin Munro46(20b 2*4 4*6)BowlerChris Jordan 2-0-28-0
09:11 IST: 8.6: C Jordan to C Munro, A yorker to finish. On off, dug out towards cover for a run. Jordan walks off shaking his head. He will know that he has gone for runs because he did not stick to his basic skill set.
09:10 IST: 8.5: C Jordan to Tim Seifert, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
09:10 IST: 8.4: C Jordan to Tim Seifert, Full and outside off, Seifert swings hard and misses. Lost his shape there.
09:09 IST: 8.3: C Jordan to C Munro, There you are. Y. O. R. K. E. R. CM can only get it towards mid-wicket for a run.
09:09 IST: 8.2: C Jordan to C Munro, SIX! Munro moves into the 40s as Jordan moves away from his skill. He bowls a length ball, aiming for the cutter but Colin skips down the track and swings it miles over the sightscreen!
09:08 IST: 8.1: C Jordan to Tim Seifert, That is his skill. The yorker. Outside off, dug out behind point for a single.
09:07 IST: Chris Jordan returns to bowl his final over. 18 in his first.Score 110/2BatsmanTim Seifert15(6b 0*4 2*6)BowlerAdil Rashid 3-0-34-1
09:07 IST: 7.6: A Rashid to Tim Seifert, Short and outside off, cut wide of short third man, to his right, for a run. 15 from the over and Rashid finishes with figures of 3-0-34-1. Trust me, those are really good, if you followed the Powerplay.
09:06 IST: 7.5: A Rashid to Tim Seifert, SIX! SLAM! Full and outside off, Seifert gets under this one and slogs it massively over mid-wicket!
09:06 IST: 7.4: A Rashid to Tim Seifert, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
09:05 IST: 7.3: A Rashid to Tim Seifert, SIX! Good bowling, excellent adjustment. Seifert charges down the track and seeing that, Rashid drags it down. Tim is done by the length and pace but he adjusts well, pulling it over mid-wicket!
09:05 IST: 7.2: A Rashid to C Munro, Comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a run.
09:04 IST: 7.1: A Rashid to Tim Seifert, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.Score 95/2BatsmanTim Seifert1(1b 0*4 0*6)BowlerSaqib Mahmood 2-0-20-1
09:04 IST: 6.6: S Mahmood to Tim Seifert, Two good overs in a row for England. 5 from the last, 7 from this one. A length ball outside off, Seifert looks to pull but the ball takes the toe end of the bat and goes past Mahmood towards long off. Only a run taken.
09:02 IST: 6.5: S Mahmood to C Munro, Around middle, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.
09:02 IST: Tim Seifert has been sent in at number 4.
09:01 IST: 6.4: S Mahmood to de Grandhomme, OUT! Caught! Another one falls. A short ball, outside off, de Grandhomme looks to pull but the pace of Mahmood makes the ball skid off the deck. Colin is cramped for room and he plays the shot without any timing. James Vince comes running in from deep mid-wicket, dives forward and takes a lovely catch.
09:01 IST: 6.3: S Mahmood to de Grandhomme, Outside off, a swing and a miss.
09:00 IST: 6.2: S Mahmood to de Grandhomme, FOUR! ‘That is a drop-kick shot’, says Ian Smith on air. What is it? Let us try and explain. It is somewhere between a flamingo shot and the Nataraja shot. De Grandhomme swivels, takes his left leg in the air and whips it over short fine leg.
08:59 IST: 6.1: S Mahmood to C Munro, A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.Score 88/1BatsmanColin Munro35(14b 2*4 3*6)BowlerAdil Rashid 2-0-19-1
08:58 IST: 5.6: A Rashid to C Munro, Almost a yorker outside off, pushed down to long off for a run. Superb second over from Rashid – A wicket and 5 singles.
08:57 IST: 5.5: A Rashid to de Grandhomme, Goes for the slog, does de Grandhomme but can only get it behind square leg. Only a single.
08:57 IST: 5.4: A Rashid to C Munro, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for one.
08:56 IST: 5.3: A Rashid to de Grandhomme, Down the leg side, heaved through mid-wicket for a run.
08:56 IST: 5.2: A Rashid to C Munro, Full and around middle, swept through square leg for a single.
08:55 IST: Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 3, replacing Guptill.
08:55 IST: 5.1: A Rashid to M Guptill, OUT! Caught! England get their first breakthrough at last. Credit to Morgan for keeping Rashid on in spite of that expensive first over. He has delivered. Full and on middle, Guptill comes down the track and looks to go big but this is the longer part of the ground. Does not have enough power and Tom Banton at deep mid-wicket pouches the chance. End of a scintillating knock.Score 83/0BatsmanColin Munro32(11b 2*4 3*6)BowlerSaqib Mahmood 1-0-13-0
08:54 IST: 4.6: S Mahmood to C Munro, SIX! Short boundary and that has gone all the way. A length ball, around middle and leg, Munro looks to pull but he has not timed it that well. The shot has more height than distance and the fielder at backward square leg in the deep thinks he is in with a catching opportunity – till he sees the ball sail over.
08:53 IST: 4.5: S Mahmood to C Munro, Outside off, Munro looks to slash hard but misses. An outstanding over so far, considering how the previous ones have gone by.
08:52 IST: 4.4: S Mahmood to M Guptill, HALF CENTURY FOR GUPTILL! In just 19 balls. What a carnage. Saved his best for the last. 3 fours, 5 sixes. And counting. A short ball, outside off, Guptill pulls it to wide long on for a single to get to the milestone.
08:52 IST: 4.3: S Mahmood to C Munro, Full and around off, Munro looks to swing but gets an inside edge which just misses the stumps. This time, Sam Billings is able to stop it as he dives to his right. A single taken.
08:51 IST: 4.2: S Mahmood to C Munro, EDGED, FOUR! A short ball, around middle, Munro looks to pull but the pace does him in. The ball shoots through, takes the top edge and flies over the keeper to the fence behind!
08:51 IST: 4.1: S Mahmood to M Guptill, A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
08:50 IST: Saqib Mahmood into the attack now.Score 70/0BatsmanColin Munro21(7b 1*4 2*6)BowlerAdil Rashid 1-0-14-0
08:49 IST: 3.6: A Rashid to C Munro, Full toss, down the leg side, swept towards short fine leg where Jordan dives to his right, but parries it behind. That punishment is worth an extra run. Two overall.
08:49 IST: 3.5: A Rashid to C Munro, Outside off, Munro looks to defend but ends up playing well inside the line. Did not pick the googly at all.
08:48 IST: 3.4: A Rashid to M Guptill, Shorter ball, outside leg, Martin looks to pull but misses and is hit on the chest. The ball goes to short fine leg and a leg bye is taken.
08:48 IST: 3.3: A Rashid to M Guptill, SIX! Bad ball this time. Does not land at all as Guptill comes down the track to convert it into a full toss and smacks it straight back over the sightscreen.
08:47 IST: 3.2: A Rashid to M Guptill, SIX! Magnificent batting. Not a bad ball at all. Tossed up, outside off and asking the batsman to drive with the turn on the longer side of the boundary. And the batsman does. But the problem is, the timing and connection is exquisite. Guptill backs away and carves it over extra cover which goes all the way!
08:46 IST: 3.1: A Rashid to M Guptill, NOT OUT. Floated outside off, brave ball, Guptill looks to swing hard but misses. Billings behind collects and whips the bails off, appealing for a stumping. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Guppy’s back foot never left his crease.
08:46 IST: And we have a stumping appeal first up. Did Guptill drag his foot out of the crease? Doesn’t seem so from the replays. NOT OUT.
08:45 IST: Adil Rashid to bowl the 4th over.Score 55/0BatsmanMartin Guptill36(13b 3*4 3*6)BowlerChris Jordan 1-0-18-0
08:44 IST: 2.6: C Jordan to M Guptill, On middle, pushed through mid on for a single. 18 from the over to make it 55/0 IN THE POWERPLAY!
08:44 IST: 2.5: C Jordan to M Guptill, A yorker outside off (FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY), Martin looks to push it through the off side on the walk but misses.
08:43 IST: 2.4: C Jordan to M Guptill, SIX! Where is this one? Where is this one? Forget it, get another one! A short ball now, outside off, it just sits up and asks to be hit. And Guppy hits. Pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket for half a dozen. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND IN 16 BALLS!
08:42 IST: 2.3: C Jordan to M Guptill, FOUR! Yorker is searched, but full toss is found. And it is gone. Outside off, dipping one, Guptill just places it between cover and point!
08:41 IST: 2.2: C Jordan to C Munro, A short ball, dragged through square leg for a single.
08:41 IST: Morgan and Jordan have a chat.
08:40 IST: 2.1: C Jordan to C Munro, SIX! PUMMELED! This is poor bowling. Every bowler has just come in and bowled length. Jordan does that and Munro hammers it over long off.
08:40 IST: Chris Jordan to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.Score 37/0BatsmanMartin Guptill25(9b 2*4 2*6)BowlerTom Curran 1-0-20-0
08:39 IST: 1.6: Tom Curran to M Guptill, A short ball, outside off, dragged straight to mid on via a pull. 20 from the second over!
08:39 IST: 1.5: Tom Curran to M Guptill, Short and outside off, carved over cover. Not cleanly hit, hence a couple is achieved.
08:38 IST: Mini-conference. Morgan, Curran and Jordan.
08:38 IST: 1.4: Tom Curran to M Guptill, SIX! This is colossal. Length from Tom again, Guptill waits for it and smokes it over long on!
08:37 IST: 1.3: Tom Curran to M Guptill, Swings this through mid-wicket and gets a couple.
08:37 IST: 1.2: Tom Curran to M Guptill, SIX! POUNDED! Full and outside off, Guptill gets down a touch and swings it into orbit at deep mid-wicket! New Zealand are on the charge here.
08:36 IST: 1.1: Tom Curran to M Guptill, FOUR! Slower ball but dispatched. Length ball, outside off, Guptill waits and waits and waits before pulling it wide of mid-wicket.
08:36 IST: The elder Curran Tom, to share the new ball with his sibling.Score 17/0BatsmanColin Munro12(3b 1*4 1*6)BowlerSam Curran 1-0-17-0
08:35 IST: 0.6: Sam Curran to C Munro, SIX! 17 from the opening over! A length ball, around off, Munro walks down the track and just hits it through the line, clearing mid on and the boundary at long on!
08:34 IST: 0.5: Sam Curran to C Munro, FOUR! Bad bowling. Morgan just strengthened the leg-side field for Munro but what does Curran do? Bowl it short and wide outside off. Munro just slaps it over cover. One bounce and four.
08:33 IST: 0.4: Sam Curran to C Munro, A length ball outside off, Munro comes down the track and drags it wide of mid on for a couple.
08:32 IST: 0.3: Sam Curran to M Guptill, A length ball outside off, Guppy swings hard again and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat, through square leg. A single taken.
08:32 IST: 0.2: Sam Curran to M Guptill, FOUR! PLUNDERED! That previous ball was a sighter and forgotten. Curran has landed this in not too different an area to the previous one and this time Guptill has connected. Swung over mid-wicket.
08:31 IST: 0.1: Sam Curran to M Guptill, Full and outside off, swinging away, a swing and a miss from Guptill.
08:31 IST: Alright. We are ready. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill stride out to bat finally after 2 hours. Sam Curran to start off proceedings to Guppy. Here we go…
08:30 IST: Hurray! We are all set to get underway! The players and umpires observe a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday. Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
08:13 IST: Did not have to wait long for the official confirmation, aye. A 11-over-a-side contest is promised, sorry, HOPED FOR, if the rain stays away. Looking at a 4 pm local start (0300 GMT).
08:11 IST: UPDATE 3.40 PM LOCAL (0240 GMT) – Aha! That was quick, wasn’t it? The skies have cleared at Eden Park and we might have a game! Could be a 10-over shootout or more, just awaiting confirmation. But at least, we are in good shape to get the match started!
08:01 IST: UPDATE 3.30 PM LOCAL (0230 GMT) – How many of you are aware where is TE ATATU? It is 15 minutes away from Auckland. The Te Atatu Peninsula is a waterfront suburb of Auckland City while the Te Atatu South is a residential suburb. Thank you for the geographical description. What about it though, you ask? Well, it has stopped raining there and we are hoping that it stops at Eden Park as well…
07:37 IST: UPDATE 3 pm local (0200 GMT) – The rain is playing a confident, vigil knock, not throwing its wicket away and holding firm. So that means, till it is dislodged, the doorway to the game cannot be found. We wait. Just a reminder – we have already started to lose out on overs. 4.47 pm local (0347 GMT) is the cutoff time for a 5-over shootout.
07:06 IST: 2.30 PM LOCAL (0130 GMT) – We will not have a delayed start on time. Ermmm… is it even right to say delayed start on time? Well, such is the situation. We were all set to go but light rain has begun and the clouds overhead are very dark. So the umpires have chosen to wait for a while.
06:56 IST: England (Playing XI) – Tom Banton, Jonny Bairstow, JAMES VINCE (IN FOR DAWID MALAN), Eoin Morgan (C), Sam Billings (WK), Sam Curran, Lewis Gregory, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, ADIL RASHID (IN FOR PAT BROWN), and SAQIB MAHMOOD (IN FOR MATT PARKINSON).
06:54 IST: New Zealand (Playing XI) – Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, JAMES NEESHAM (IN FOR DARYL MITCHELL), Mitchell Santner, SCOTT KUGGELEIJN (IN FOR BLAIR TICKNER), Tim Southee (C), Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.
06:53 IST: TOSS – Eoin Morgan has won a crucial toss and ENGLAND HAVE ELECTED TO CHASE. It is a small ground and with the forecast not being too great, this could be a shortened and interrupted game, which means chasing is the best ploy.
06:52 IST: We should have had a start by now, but owing to the wet weather around, there has been a delay. However, the conditions have improved and we are having a game beginning at 2.30 pm local (0130 GMT).
06:51 IST: A heartbreak for England in Nelson. Then a massive riposte in the 4th T20I. Two alarming games from their point of view – one which they should not have lost. One which they themselves might agree that they played like a team possessed. What promises us today? New Zealand have been the better team throughout the series but can they forget the drubbing of Friday? Hello and a warm welcome to the 5th and final T20I between New Zealand and England in Auckland.
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