7 h. ago Rashid and Salt star as England thrash New Zealand in second men’s T20I

England, 236-4, beat New Zealand, 171, by 65 runsAdil Rashid takes four wickets after Phil Salt’s 85If rain potentially saved England from defeat in the first game of this series, in the second it arrived too late to help New Zealand. A 129-run partnership between Phil Salt and Harry Brook powered the tourists towards a score of 236 for four and, though the Black Caps demonstrated some mighty power-hitting of their own, they simply could not do it often enough, and too regularly lost wickets in trying.Adil Rashid took four wickets and Jordan Cox three catches as New Zealand were dismissed for 171 with two overs remaining, England winning by 65. By the time the forecast downpour arrived, the heavens opening as if fed up with having cricket balls repeatedly hit into them, the game was over. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Salt marvels at Brook after England thrash New Zealand in second men’s T20I

England, 236-4, beat New Zealand, 171, by 65 runsRashid takes four wickets after Salt’s 85 and Brook’s 78If the first game of this series was ruined by a downpour, the second was won by a deluge. A 129-run partnership between Phil Salt and Harry Brook powered the tourists towards a score of 236 for four, England smashing 34 boundaries and the record score on this ground, leaving New Zealand a forlorn chase which ended when their last wicket fell with two overs remaining and 65 still required.The Black Caps demonstrated some mighty power-hitting of their own but they simply could not do it often enough, and too regularly lost wickets in trying, with England’s fielding despite a swirling wind as impeccable as their opponents’ had been unreliable. Adil Rashid took four wickets, and Jordan Cox three catches, as New Zealand were dismissed for 171. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago New Zealand chasing 237 to beat England: second men’s T20 international – live

Match at Hagley Oval begins at 7.15am BSTShare your thoughts with Rob via email2nd over: England 24-1 (Salt 20, Bethell 0) Duffy dug that wicket ball in short, which meant it hit high on the bat as Buttler came charging at him. Nicely bowled if he meant it.This Hagley Oval pitch looks better for batting than on Saturday. Salt climbs into a wide ball from Jacob Duffy, blasting it square on the off side for four, then top-edges a pull over the keeper’s head for another boundary. Continue reading...

Society

10 h. ago New Zealand v England: second men’s T20 international – live

Match at Hagley Oval begins at 7.15am BSTCurran rises to England challenge after exileShare your thoughts with Rob via email2nd over: England 24-1 (Salt 20, Bethell 0) Duffy dug that wicket ball in short, which meant it hit high on the bat as Buttler came charging at him. Nicely bowled if he meant it.This Hagley Oval pitch looks better for batting than on Saturday. Salt climbs into a wide ball from Jacob Duffy, blasting it square on the off side for four, then top-edges a pull over the keeper’s head for another boundary. Continue reading...

Society

56 h. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international hit by rain – as it happened

Rain washes out the first match of the series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international abandoned due to rain – live

First T20 called off after Christchurch deluge Series remains 0-0 with two matches to play3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Society

59 h. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international – live

Updates from the series opener in Christchurch Sign up for The Spin newsletter | And mail JamesThe players emerge onto the outfield of a blustery Hagley Oval. Looks like a double cable knit sort of evening to me. Let’s play!Mitch Santner – not at all reminding me of the ‘Weatherfield One’ Deidre Barlow when he wears his oversized specs wins the toss. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago New Zealand v Australia: men’s third T20 international cricket – live

Updates from the third match at Bay Oval in TaurangaAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailNew Zealand captain Michael Bracewell says he is happy to bat first and confirms his side is unchanged too:TEAMS: Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago New Zealand v Australia: men’s second T20 international cricket – live

Updates from the second match in Tauranga Play at Bay Oval starts 7.15pm local/4.15pm AEST Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailTim Robinson’s first T20I century in Game One was a ripper in a losing cause. The Black Caps were 6-3 in the second over, with Josh Hazlewood removing Tim Seifert in the opening over and Ben Dwarshuis striking twice in two balls to send Devon Conway and Mark Chapman back to the sheds before Robinson swaggered out. Playing his 13th T20I, the tousle-haired 23-year-old scored an unbeaten 106 off 66 balls.Robinson smashed six fours and five sixes along the way and ended his blitzkrief in style, with a four and a six from the last two balls! Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Ruthless Australia crush New Zealand by six wickets in first T20I

Mitchell Marsh smashes 85 to clinch victory in series openerAustralia lead 1-0 in three-match T20I series v New ZealandAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailJosh Hazlewood has the new ball and Tim Seifert will face the first. Here we go, folks!Back at Bay Oval, the wind is whipping the young flag bearers off their feet. Umpires Chris Brown and Shaun Haig are taking the ground first, followed by the players. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand v Australia: men’s first T20 international cricket – live

Three-match trans-Tasman series opens in TaurangaAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailJosh Hazlewood has the new ball and Tim Seifert will face the first. Here we go, folks!Back at Bay Oval, the wind is whipping the young flag bearers off their feet. Umpires Chris Brown and Shaun Haig are taking the ground first, followed by the players. Continue reading...

Society