It was the worst possible start England could have imagined as they continued their poor form in the shortest format with the nine-run (D/L Method) defeat to New Zealand in their rain-hit World Twenty20 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.
The game was an opportunity for the English side to start off fresh after experiencing successive defeats to New Zealand, Australia and West Indies apart from the losses in the practice matches.
However, their attempt was short lived as New Zealand’s raid start, 52 for 1 in 5.2 overs, was enough to hand England a defeat, who made 172 batting first, after unexpected rain poured in at the night game.
The rain stopped for a while giving hope to the English, but after 25 minutes it resumed as England’s hope also disappeared with the shower.
Looking to achieve the highest ever total at the venue, New Zealand lost Martin Guptill (11) in the fouth over who holed out to Chris Jordan at midwicket off medium-pacer Jade Dernbach. Kane Williamson, 24 off 17 balls, and Brendon McCullum, 16 from six balls, kept the New Zealander’s in the hunt before rain arrived.
Earlier, England lost Alex Hales in the first over to a brilliant catch by Corey Anderson diving back after being put in to bat, but left-handed Moeen Ali and Michael Lumb fought back and smashed the Kiwis during their 72-run second wicket recovery.
In his third T20 for England, Ali came in at No 3 and faced 23 balls for 36 and Lumb (32) followed him inside the next six balls after Anderson held on to another scorching catch off left-arm quickie Mitchell McClenaghan.
Ravi Bopara, the most familiar to the conditions among the English players as he played in both Dhaka Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, chipped in with an unbeaten 24 off 19 balls to help England post the total losing six wickets.
Anderson also had a good day with the ball having picked two wickets to lead the New Zealand bowling chart.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
