ENG VS NZ T20I

Right! The first game is done and dusted in 190 minutes. No time wasting. England have also wasted no time in adjusting to the conditions and have won convincingly, without this being their best squad. New Zealand do not have much time for a turnaround as the second T20I starts on Sunday, 3rd November, 2019 at 2 pm local (0100 GMT). Join us then. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious England captain, Eoin Morgan, hits the nail on the head. Says that the game was more or less won or lost in the first innings itself, as he feels that they were chasing a total 20 below par on a surface which was two-paced. Praises his bowlers and specially the debutants, for holding their nerves. Is enjoying England's welcome to New Zealand's shores. On fielding three debutants, Morgan says that the management needs time to get a settled 15 into the World Cup in October and the resting of 7 guys is a plan in that direction. Admits that all new players will not get a chance to go to Australia but believes that at least the selectors get some options. Is happy to be 1-0 up and is looking forward to the next match in Wellington.

New Zealand's captain for the first three T20Is, Tim Southee, admits that it is a tough start for the series. Praises England but feels that New Zealand were off in all three departments. Adds that a couple of early wickets could have put pressure on the England batters but it never happened. With the bat, he reckons that they could have got a few runs more.

JAMES VINCE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE MAN OF THE MATCH (Sigh... batsman's game). Praises his bowlers for setting up the win, as the total was not a huge one to chase. On the pitch, feels that it was a good one to bat upon, especially after getting set. Lauds captain Morgan for taking his side home.

A difficult match for the Kiwi bowlers. Their batsmen could not quite get a big total and they simply could not find anything on the surface to keep England quiet. And this is a side without Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Alex Hales and Joe Root. D. E. P. T. H. Who is your Man Of The Match? Chris Jordan? Or James Vince? Please stayed tuned for the presentation...

A very important match for James Vince. He has this habit to getting in, feeling good, making the team look nice and then throw it away. He did that again in this game, getting to 59 and making the cardinal sin of not staying till the end. But because the job was not that difficult, he got away with it.

A comfortable win for England in the end. They never looked to be in trouble and it was a matter of one good partnership and one set batsman staying deep. The first two stands set the tone and then the 54-run stand between Vince and Morgan sealed the deal.

SIX! ENGLAND WIN BY 7 WICKETS! What a batting effort form the the English team. Southee goes short and on middle, Morgan pulls it handsomely. The ball sails up and over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. The fielder there is a mere spectator.

FOUR! Morgan stays back to this length ball and flats bats it past the bowler. Santner at mid off dives across to his left. But fails to field it. The ball in the end reaches long off for a boundary.

Southee goes short and wide outside off, Morgan looks to cut but fails to middle it as the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper.

Tim Southee comes back on.

Short and outside off, cut through point for one more.

On middle, pushed towards long on for a run.

FOUR! That is lucky. A length ball, outside off, Billings swings hard and gets a thick inside edge past the stumps towards fine leg!

Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.

Down the leg side, Morgan looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the keeper. A run taken and no signal from the umpire. Did that hit the glove? Yes, he signals.

FOUR! Good start to the over. Full and outside off, Morgan gets underneath it and lofts it over mid off. 17 more needed from as many balls.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl out. 3-0-17-0 so far.

Morgan punches this flatter one through covers for a single.

Billings dances down the track to this tossed up ball and lofts it to long on for a single.

Sodhi goes short and Billings pulls it superbly in the gap between long on and mid-wicket. The fielder from long on runs to his right and saves a couple of runs for his team. The Batsmen take a couple.

FOUR! Billings this time attempts a reverse sweep and gets a boundary. Sodhi goes full and down leg, Billings is quick to switch over and places the ball in the gap between point and third man. The ball races to the fence for a boundary at third man.

Morgan flicks this tossed up ball on his pads to mid-wicket for a single.

Billings pushes this flatter one through the off side for a single.

Ish Sodhi is back on.

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run. 2 runs and a wicket from the over. 4-0-23-3 for Santner, an excellent job.

Around off, well defended.

Comes down the track and Santner fires it outside leg. Sam looks to flick but gets a leading edge, which does not carry to short extra cover.

Billings watchfully defends this tossed up ball to the off side.

Sam Billings walks in at number 5, replacing Vince.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another wicket and the man to take is Guptill. Santner goes short and Vince pulls it through mid-wicket. But as he failed to get under the ball which means that he fails to get the timing and the distance. Guptill stationed there in the deep this time takes an easiest of the grab. Vince throws away another start.

Tossed up on off, Morgan pushes it to point for a single.

Santner is back on. 3-0-21-3 so far.

That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total.

Excellent yorker, around middle, dug out back to the bowler.

The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

SIX! Terrific shot. Full and around off, Vince comes down the track and flicks it all the way over square leg, with his right leg in the air. Flamingo!

On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Superb shot. Just fractionally short of a length and not too wide outside off. But captain Morgan backs away and punches it behind point.

Tim Southee is back on. 2-0-7-0 so far.

Vince plays the defensive shot on this length ball outside off.

Once again Morgan backs away to push this length ball outside off through covers for a single.

FOUR! Morgan shows his batting skill there. Ferguson goes short and outside off, Morgan rocks back crouches a bit and upper cuts it over the vacant slip cordon. The ball goes to the third man fence for a boundary.

Brilliant batting this from Vince. He just pushes it to mid off for a single.

FOUR! MAIDEN T20I FIFTY FOR VINCE! Brilliant timing on that. Ferguson bowls it wide outside off, Vince punches it through point off the back foot for a boundary. He has done the hard work. Now, for staying till the end.

Slower one and full outside off, Vince lets it through.

Lockie Ferguson returns. 2-0-7-0 so far.

Works this through the covers for a run.

FOUR! Cracking shot. A short ball, outside off, Vince pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

SIX! Fine shot. A length ball, around off, Vince lofts this straight back over long on!

Gets across his stumps, looks to flick but misses. Kuggeleijn appeals for LBW but the impact was outside off.

Vince gets to the pitch of this tossed up ball and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. This time Sodhi goes short and Vince just cuts it through point. The ball races away to the fence in a flash.

FOUR! Pleasing to the eye stuff. Sodhi bowls a fuller one outside off, Vince gets on the front foot and drives it superbly through the covers for a boundary.

Another brillant fielding effort from Guptill in the deep. Sodhi tosses one up outside off, Morgan goes for the reverse sweep and places it in between cover and point. But Guptill in the deep does well to run across to his left to field. Only a single results.

Tossed up outside off, Vice cuts it through point.

Leg break on off, Vince drives it to covers.

Change of ends for Ish Sodhi. 2-0-17-0 so far.

A good length ball outside off, Morgan throws his bat at it but gets a bottom edge to the off side.

A long hop, pulled to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for one.

Full and wide outside off, Morgan reaches out, aiming to steer it to third man but misses.

A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Full and around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Scott Kuggeleijn returns. 1-0-15-0 so far.

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. Excellent over from Santner.

Skipper Eoin Morgan walks in at number 4, replacing Bairstow.

OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliant stuff in the field from Martin Guptill! What a catch in the deep by the Kiwi stalwart there. Santner goes flatter and wide outside off, Bairstow has to go and fetch his pull from wide outside off. But Jonny fails to get it from the middle of the bat. Finally he could manage a drag pull which goes to deep mid-wicket where Martin Guptill takes a good tumbling grab. So Bairstow departs and England lose their second one.

Tossed up on the pads, Bairstow flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Tossed up outside off, Vince drives it through covers for one.

Tossed up on the pads, Bairstow flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter one on off, Vince pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A short ball, outside leg, Bairstow pulls it behind square leg and the ball races away! 10 from the over.

Works this wide of mid on for a single. Santner comes running in and fires a rocket throw to Sodhi who is unable to collect. Tim Southee backing up at cover dives to his left to stop both - the ball and the batsmen from taking the second.

Comes down the track and works it straight to the bowler.

FOUR! Half chance. Full and around off, Vince hammers it straight back. Sodhi takes evasive action, looking to duck, then going for the catch on the second attempt but misses. The ball races away.

How did that miss the stumps? The slider from Sodhi, around middle, Vince goes back to punch but the ball skids through and just misses the stumps!

Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Outside off, Vince looks to sweep but misses.

Around off, punched towards mid on. Santner himself runs to his right to stop.

Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.

Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Around middle and off, worked through square leg for a run.

The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

On middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

Full and around middle, Vince comes down the track and works it towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Short and outside off, Vince rocks back and punches it through the covers!

Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.

Ish Sodhi is rewarded for that catch as he is asked to go into the boiling cauldron.

Outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a run. 42/1 IN THE POWERPLAY, as compared to New Zealand's 39/2.

FOUR! Nice way to get going. Short and outside off, Vince rocks back and cuts it through point. The fielder dives to his left but in vain.

James Vince walks in at number 3, replacing Malan.

OUT! Caught! The first wicket falls at last. Full and around middle and leg, Malan comes down the track, looks to go downtown but is not to the pitch of the ball. The ball lands, spins away, takes the leading edge and goes to short third man where Ish Sodhi takes it calmly. The entertaining opening stand is broken.

Full and around off, swept through square leg for a single.

Outside off, driven straight to cover.

FOUR! GORGEOUS! Full and outside off, Bairstow leans and drives it through the covers!

Mitchell Santner into the attack.

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED, FOUR! A short ball, around middle, Malan pulls it straight to square leg. Martin Guptill leaps, sticks out his right hand but cannot quite take it. The ball is parried to the mid-wicket fence. Tough chance.

Outside off, a play and a miss.

Full on middle, driven back to the bowler.

A yorker on middle, dug out back to the bowler.

Tim Southee comes back on. 1-0-1-0 so far.

Outside off, Bairstow looks to cut but misses. Gets a bottom edge which goes to the off side.

Full and outside off, JB drives it straight to mid off.

A slower ball, wide outside off, comes back in, Jonny looks to slash, has to reach out but misses.

Full and down the leg side, Malan sweeps it through square leg for a single.

Outside off, punched off the back foot.

FOUR! A short ball outside off, Malan pulls it wide of mid on and gets a boundary!

FOUR! This time on the other side. Short and outside off, Bairstow cuts it through point and the ball races away! 18 from the over and England are up and running.

FOUR! Short and outside off, Bairstow pulls it over mid-wicket!

Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman.

SIX! BELLIGERENT! A length ball outside off, Bairstow picks it up and swings it over square leg!

Full and around middle, pushed uppishly towards mid on.

FOUR! Welcome into the attack! Full and around off, Bairstow looks to drive hard but the ball swings in, takes the inner half of the bat and runs wide of mid on!

Scott Kuggeleign comes in straightaway.

Around middle and leg, Malan plays that from the crease, back to the bowler. Superb from Southee in the opener, well backed up by Lockie here.

The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

That stays low, skidding off a length, missing the bat and hitting the pads as the batsman misses his flick. An LBW appeal ensues but that was pitching outside leg.

Almost a replica of the first ball of this over. Only this time, Bairstow is the batsman. A single taken to deep point with a slash.

Outside off, played straight to point.

Short and wide outside off, slapped over point, but there is a fielder in the deep. A single taken.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end.

Full delivery on off, Bairstow drives it to mid off. Just 1 run of the first over.

Bowls it down the leg side, Bairstow looks to go after it but misses it.

What was the noise? Looks like something has come off Bairstow's willow. In fact, it is a piece of wood. Short of a length delivery on off, Bairstow looks to pull but the ball hits the bottom half of the bat and goes towards short mid-wicket. Jonny immediately has a look at his bat and checks it. The piece has gone to the off side. Lucky that it has not hit the stumps.

Full delivery on off, Bairstow looks to drive but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side.

Good length delivery on middle, Bairstow looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

On a length on middle, Bairstow drives it to mid on.

Starts with a full delivery outside off, Bairstow drives it to covers.

We are back for the chase. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan will open the batting for England. Tim Southee will start the proceedings for New Zealand.

154 is the target then. Is it enough? Seems like England have the upper hand at this stage but Simon Doull reckons that anything around 150-160 can be defended. Stay tuned for the chase.

On the other hand, New Zealand did not get to the best of starts as they lost Martin Guptill early. Colin Munro and Tim Seifert started to rebuild the innings. Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Seifert's partnership was also crucial while Ross Taylor's innings helped New Zealand reach a respectable score.

It has been an excellent bowling performance by England. They have bowled well and done well to restrict New Zealand under 160. Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers with his 2/28. He continued his excellent form, averaging just 18.46 in his last 10 T20Is. The debutants were not too great but not too bad either. Overall, a combined effort.

A short ball, Mitchell pulls it towards deep square leg. The batsmen take the couple. Billings looks to parry it behind onto the stumps and affect a run out but the ball goes further away. There is a chance for the third and Santner spots it but Mitchell has backed up too far and has no idea where the ball is. NEW ZEALAND FINISH ON 153/5!

A short ball, dragged towards square leg for another single.

Another ordinary ball. Short and down the leg side, pulled towards fine leg for one.

Mitchell Santner walks in at number 7, replacing Taylor.

OUT! Caught! Pat Brown has his first international wicket for England, thanks to Jonny Bairstow. Not keeping in this game but that has made no difference to his athleticism. An ordinary ball, a half tracker, Taylor pulls and pulls with aplomb. The connection is good as well but the elevation, not so. The hit is a flat one and Bairstow at deep mid-wicket spots it like a hawk. Comes running in a touch and dives forward to take the catch inches above the ground. Never easy to take such catches with the ball dipping. James Vince knows a thing or two about that. Rosco departs after a brisk 44 and the 56-run stand is broken.

Another short ball, down the leg side, Mitchell looks to pull but is cramped for room. The ball hits the glove and goes towards square leg. A run taken.

TOP EDGE, SAFE! A short ball, outside off, Taylor looks to pull but gets a top edge. The keeper runs back, fine leg comes running in but the ball lands right in between. A single taken.

Pat Brown is back on. 3-0-27-0 are his figures so far.

Full again on off, Taylor drives it through covers for a single.

Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it to mid off.

SIX! Amazing shot. Short of a length delivery, Taylor pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum. 50 partnership between Ross Taylor and Daryl Mitchell. It has come at a good time for New Zealand.

Full delivery on off, Mitchell drives it towards covers for a single.

DROPPED! Simple chance. A short ball, outside off, Taylor pulls it straight to deep mid-wicket. James Vince looks to take the catch but spills it. A single taken.

Full delivery outside off, Taylor drives it to covers.

Full and around middle, literally swept through mid-wicket for one. Tom Curran finishes with figures of 4-1-25-0.

Dropped short, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! BANG! Full and outside off, Mitchell hamers it straight back. Curran looks to stop it but the ball whizzes past him. Long off gets across, dives to his right but in vain.

Short and outside off again, pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.

Full and wide outside off, Taylor goes hard at it and slices it over point for a single.

Tom Curran is back on. 3-1-16-0 are his figures so far.

SIX! Misses the length and is punished! A low full toss, around leg and Mitchell swings it over square leg! 13 from the over, 24 off the last 2!

Full delivery on middle, Taylor drives it through mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

FOUR! That is a terrific shot but Jordan will be disappointed with himself. There are not too many bowlers in world cricket who are as good as Jordan off their own bowling. Full and outside off, Taylor hammers it straight back. Jordan looks to stop it but the ball races past him.

On a length on middle, Mitchell drives it towards long on for a single.

Full delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a run.

Full and outside off, Taylor looks to drive but misses. There is mild appeal for a catch and there is a noise as the ball goes past the bat. The bowler is happy to go back to bowl but Eoin Morgan at short extra cover seems interested. He asks his bowler and with 5 seconds left on the clock, signals for the review. The third umpire has a check and replays seem to indicate that the bat hit the ground.

Chris Jordan is back on. 2-0-6-2 are his figures so far.

SIX! As clean as a whistle. Boy, that is a treat to the eye. Knuckle ball, outside off, Mitchell spots it, holds his position and lofts it through the line, over long off! 11 from the over, Brown's figures read 3-0-27-0 so far.

Short delivery and outside off, Taylor cuts it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Full and outside off, pushed down to mid off for another single.

Another slower ball, worked towards mid-wicket, this time wide of mid on for one.

Cracking shot, excellent fielding. Short and around off, Mitchell swivels and pulls it through mid-wicket but the fielder races to his left and stops it nicely. A run taken.

Slower ball, fuller in length, around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Brown is back on. 2-0-16-0 are his figures so far.

MIXUP, RUN OUT MISSED! Ohhh.. could this be the turning point? On a good length on middle, Mitchell blocks it off the back foot. Ross Taylor at the non-striker's end wants a run and is halfway down but is sent back. Curran takes the ball in his followthrough and goes for a direct hit at his end but misses it. Ross Taylor would have been a goner had Curran hit the stumps.

On a length on middle, Mitchell flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it through mid off. The batsmen take a run.

FOUR! Slower ball, but gone awry. Full and down the leg side, Taylor tickles it past the keeper, to the fine leg fence. 100 up for New Zealand.

On a length on off, Mitchell plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

Length delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Tom Curran is back on. 2-1-7-0 are his figures so far.

On a good length on off, Mitchell keeps it out. 3 runs and a wicket from the over.

Bowls a yorker on middle, Taylor does well to dig it out. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a single.

On a good length and outside off, Taylor looks to drive but misses it.

Length delivery on middle, Mitchell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

On a length on off, Taylor taps it towards point and takes a quick single. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but misses it.

Daryl Mitchell is the next batsman in.

OUT! Caught! Jordan gets a wicket immediately on return. A high full toss, dipping down, Seifert looks to pull but the ball hits him high on the bat. He gets more height than distance and Jonny Bairstow takes it running in from deep mid-wicket. Seifert has a look at the umpires and they ask him to wait. The replay is shown on the giant screen and Siefert starts to go back to the batting crease to resume batting. That is strange. Looks to be below the waist as it was dipping down and the third umpire checks and checks again. Eventually, signals OUT on the giant screen and Tim has to walk back to the dugout. Does not look happy but if our opinion mattered, it looked out. End of a fine knock.

Gone! Caught! But is it a no ball? It is high... but how high... the umpires are checking... seems okay in the first look on the replays. Yes. Given.

Chris Jordan is back on. 1-0-3-1 are his figures so far.

On a length on off, Seifert punches it towards point for a single. 10 runs have come from the over.

Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it through covers. The batsmen cross ends.

Flighted delivery on leg, Taylor plays a sweep towards fine leg. The batsmen take a single.

Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor plays it towards mid off. The batsmen take a run.

FOUR! That is a bad ball. Full and down the leg side, Taylor sweeps it very fine and gets it to the boundary. No short fine leg on that occasion and now, he comes in.

Thrown up outside off, Taylor drives it through the covers. Gregory charges across to his right from sweeper, picks up the ball and sees that the batsmen are taking his arm on, going for the second on the throw. He throws off balance and it lands in the middle of the pitch, making the second run easy.

Length delivery on leg, Taylor looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

On a length on middle, Taylor flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

Full delivery on middle, Seifert drives it to long on. The batsmen cross ends.

Length delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it to mid-wicket.

Good length delivery on off, Taylor blocks it off the front foot.

On a length on middle, Taylor flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

Sam Curran is back on. 3-0-27-1 are his figures so far.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single. 4 runs and a wicket from the over.

Flighted delivery on middle, Seifert plays it towards mid on. The batsmen take a run.

Floated delivery on middle, Taylor drives it through mid on for a single.

Tossed up delivery on leg, Taylor looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

Flighted delivery on off, Seifert drives it through mid off. The batsmen take a single.

Ross Taylor is the new batsman in.

OUT! Caught! Big wicket. Rashid has taken out Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has not nailed that shot. We have seen some big sixes from him but this is a mistimed shot. A drag down, outside off, de Grandhomme looks to pull but perhaps the ball comes on a bit too quickly. The mistimed shot goes straight to James Vince at deep mid-wicket who makes no mistake. The 33-run stand is broken.

On a length on middle, Colin flicks it over mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends. 11 runs have come from the over.

SIX! Big Colin. Only needs one hand. A slower ball, outside off and short in length. De Grandhomme is ready to pull but is perhaps too early. He goes through with the shot though and his bottom hand comes off the bat. Still, the ball travels over square leg and into the crowd!

Bowls a bouncer, de Grandhomme lets it sail through to the keeper.

Full again on middle, Seifert flicks it towards square leg for a single.

On a length on middle, de Grandhomme flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

Full delivery on middle, de Grandhomme flicks it over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep does well to stop it. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Tossed up delivery on off, Seifert keeps it out.

Floated delivery on middle, Colin flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.

Flighted delivery on off, Seifert defends it off the front foot.

Short delivery on off, de Grandhomme cuts it towards point for a single.

Tossed up delivery on off, Seifert plays it towards covers for a single.

FOUR! That is a typical Seifert shot. Landed outside leg, Tim gets to the leg side, brings out the reverse and pulls it over short third man. Gets more height but just about clears the men in the ring.

Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Short and outside off, cut through point.

A slower ball, outside off, de Grandhomme walks down the track to push but misses. The ball goes not carry to the keeper.

Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a triple.

Pat Brown to bowl now. Big moment for the debutant.

Flighted delivery on middle, Seifert comes down the track and plays it towards mid on for a run.

Tossed up delivery on off, de Grandhomme guides it towards third man for a run.

Floated delivery on off, Seifert plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Flighted delivery on off, Colin punches it towards point for a run.

FOUR! Nice shot. Short delivery on middle, de Grandhomme pulls it over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep tries to pull it back before the ropes but it goes through him to the fence.

Tossed up delivery on off, Seifert plays it towards covers for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 4, replacing Munro. Adil Rashid into the attack as well.

OUT! Caught! A wicket off a full toss. Jordan goes for the yorker but gets it wrong. Thankfully, for him, isn't it? Munro looks to get it over the infield on the leg side but he is not able to get the elevation. Ends up chipping it straight to Eoin Morgan at short mid-wicket who takes it and celebrates!

A full ball, around leg, pushed back to the bowler.

Full and outside off, yorker length, squeezed down to third man for a run.

Around middle, heaved towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Landed outside off, left alone.

Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Chris Jordan into the attack now.

SIX! Powerful, followed by cheeky. Munro, you beauty. A length ball, around leg, Colin gets down and across and paddles it over fine leg! 21 from the over. Probably an over too many for Sam Curran in the Powerplay.

SIX! Second maximum of the over. Bit of a momentum coming into the innings now. This is the third or fourth time Munro is using his flick. Jumps down the track, spots the slower ball and hits it into the wind. So that is a powerful shot.

Length delivery on off, Seifert plays it towards point for a single.

SIX! AUDACIOUS! There comes the first six! A short ball outside off, Seifert goes onto the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket!

On a length on middle, Munro flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Length delivery on middle, Seifert nudges it towards square leg for a run.

Full delivery on middle, Seifert flicks it through square leg for a run. 8 runs have come from the over.

On a good length on middle, Munro looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Good length delivery outside off, Munro looks to cut but misses it.

FOUR! Nice shot. On a length on leg, Munro flicks it over square leg for a boundary.

WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Munro looks to pull but misses it.

Length delivery on off, Seifert plays it towards mid off and takes a single. The fielder fires a direct hit at the bowler's end but Seifert was comfortably in.

Sam Billings is on the mic, talking to David Lloyd. Billings says that the Curran brothers have mixed up the pace really well, as the pitch looks a belter. Believes that the deck might be a little slow. Feels that New Zealand is the best place to tour, with the people being very warm to visitors. On the preparations for the T20 World Cup in 2020, Billings says that every spot in the 15 is up for grabs and every one wants to give his best.

On a good length and outside off, Seifert looks to cut but misses it.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Tim Seifert walks in at number 3, on a ground he knows well.

OUT! Dragged on! There falls the first wicket. This was coming. No boundary scored in the first 16 balls, with as many as 10 dots. The pressure was building and Guptill has fallen prey. A short ball, around off, angling away, Guppy looks to pull but the ball comes on slowly after pitching. Takes the inside edge and illuminates the Zinc bails as the stumps are dislodged.

Full delivery on middle, Munro comes down the track and drives it through mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

Length delivery on off, Munro plays it to the off side.

Short delivery on middle, Guptill pulls it towards fine leg for a single.

On a good length on middle, Guptill defends it off the back foot.

Length delivery on leg, Munro looks to heave but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. MAIDEN OVER FOR TOM CURRAN! The brothers have started well.

On a length on leg, Munro looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Length delivery on off, Munro plays it to point.

Full on middle and leg, Munro flicks it towards fine leg.

On a good length on middle, Munro comes down the track to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads.

Full on middle, Munro flicks it to mid-wicket.

Tom Curran to share the new ball with his brother.

That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total. That is a terrific over. Just 4 on the board.

On middle and leg, flicked away for a run.

Full and around off, Murno looks to heave but gets a thick inside edge wide of mid on. A quick single taken.

Full and down the leg side, swinging in a long way, Guppy misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Curran appeals for LBW but the umpire moves away. The ball deflects towards point and a leg bye is taken.

Landed outside off, swinging away, Guptill feels for it but misses.

Full and around middle, swinging in, pushed towards mid on.

The players walk out to the middle amidst bright sunshine. This is the 50TH T20I being played in New Zealand and the first ever at Hagley Oval. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro to open the innings for the Black Caps. One of the Currans to bowl with the new ball first up. Sam it will be. Guppy to face. Here we go!

England (Playing XI) - Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, James Vince, Eoin Morgan(c), Sam Billings(wk), Sam Curran, Lewis Gregory, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Pat Brown.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert(wk), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee(c), Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.

TEAM NEWS - As expected, Sam Curran and Pat Brown are making their T20I debuts for England. Joe Denly was supposed to undergo a late fitness test this morning but has failed, so Lewis Gregory gets a chance to feature in internationals as well. New Zealand are going in with two spinners in Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner while the seamers will be Kuggeleijn, Ferguson, Southee, de Grandhomme and Mitchell. England have preferred the solitary spin option in Adil Rashid.

TOSS - Eoin Morgan has won the flip of the coin. ENGLAND ELECT TO CHASE. A no-brainer in this part of the world. Even normally, teams prefer chasing in this format.

A 5-match T20I series? Is that correct? Who plays a T20I series of 5 matches in an age where even 3 is considered to be too much? Well, the people who love this sport with extreme passion do. Yes, England and New Zealand fall in that bracket. There has been a lot of buzz heading into this series and hopefully, we are not disappointed.

Aus-SL. Two World T20 and a NZ-Eng game. These are the international matches scheduled on the first day of the 11th month of the 19th year of the 21st century. Not surprisingly, the match mentioned at the end has the biggest priority. With Sri Lanka not doing anything worthwhile other than helping Australia create records and the teams decided to participate in the WT20, naturally, this series starting from today gets the biggest excitement. It is their first encounter since July 14, 2019. Let's hope that we get more of the same. Hello and a warm welcome to the opening T20I of the 5-match series between New Zealand and England in Christchurch.