New Zealand produced a clinical performance with both bat and ball in the final T20I on Tuesday (September 5) to complete a remarkable comeback and level the four-match T20I series. Despite losing the first two games, the tourists won the next two to share the spoils and end the tour on a strong note ahead of the ODI leg, reports Live Cricket Score.
With Jos Buttler rested, Jonny Bairstow took charge early in the innings, hammering Matt Henry for four and six over deep backward square leg to get things rolling. Bairstow stormed through Kyle Jamieson in his opening over, smashing him for two sixes and a four to give England a flying start. The slaughter continued as Bairstow moved to 48 off 24 by the end of the powerplay as England made 63. From then on, New Zealand gradually gained control, with their spinners bringing things back.
Will Jacks edged one to the keeper in Ish Sodhi’s first over after the powerplay. Despite the fact that Bairstow continued running after turning fifty, Dawid Malan struggled to keep up. Bairstow was out in the 12th over of the innings after smashing a six off Mitchell Santner and attempting to crush the ball again, only to mistime it and fall for 73. As England prepared for a final attack, Malan finally broke the shackles by taking Jamieson apart for three fours in an over.
England could only produce 175/8 from 126/2 after 13 overs as New Zealand strangled their opposition to give only 49 in the remaining seven overs. As New Zealand continued to chip away, Harry Brook mistimed one off Sodhi, and Santner took up two vital wickets in his final over.
English