By Michael Norwood
February 16 2013

England were ruthless in their defeat of hosts New Zealand, as they won the Twenty20 series 2-1, by virtue of ten wickets in Wellington. After admitting getting the toss wrong in Hamilton, which led the kiwi's to leveling the series, captain Stuart Broad had another tough call to make in this final game, and called correctly in opting to bat second....

Broad later admitted that he was stood over the wicket for around half an hour, trying to decide what to do.

As it proved out, batting got decidingly easier as the match wore on, but England's bowlers didn't let their captain down, when being asked to bowl first at the home side.

As expected, England made one change from the opening two matches, opting for youngster Joe Root, over the out of form Samit Patel.

Patel, now seriously will consider his international career at a crossroads, should he also be dropped from the 50 over format as well out in New Zealand.

England started brightly, with both Broad and Steve Finn finding extra bounce from the drop in pitch, and it was the England skipped that set the tone up front, by dismissing opener Rutherford, with Jade Dernbach catching on the boundary.

Despite having eleven taken from his opening over, James Tredwell did for the dangerous Bendon McCullum, whilst Ross Taylor had another disapointing night, by contributing only 6, despite another hero's welcome to the crease, from the 20,000 strong crowd.

Those cheap middle order wickets, really did for the hosts, as they were never able to take the game away from England's bowlers.

Martin Guptil again impressed, but his 59 came at a price, as it took him nearly a run a ball to reach it, and the New Zealanders had to settle for 139-8 from their 20 overs.

Still, with the dew coming to the ground, many inside were confident that it would be enough to ensure a tight game.

They didn't reckon without the opening pair of Alex Hales and Michael Lumb, who despite a nervy opening couple of overs, simply destoyed that toal, in less than 13 overs.

Hales himself was dropped early doors, but take nothing away from the Nottinghamshire lad, who smashed the ball to all parts in a very entertaining 80 not out from just 42 balls, hitting 4 maximums along the way.

Lumb paid his part also, and when Hales ran a quick single with just a couple needed at the end, he smashed the ball out of the ground to bring his 50 up, and with it, a famous England victory to start the celebrations.

New Zealand 139-8 (20 overs) lost to England 143-0 (12.4 overs) by 10 wickets

BBC SCORECARD

New Zealand Martin Guptill H D Rutherford Brendon McCullum (C, W) Luteru Taylor Colin Munro Grant Elliott James Franklin Nathan McCullum I G Butler Trent Boult M J McClenaghan

England Michael Lumb Alex Hales Luke Wright Jonathan Bairstow Eoin Morgan Joseph Buttler (W) Joe Root Stuart Broad (C) James Tredwell Steven Finn Jade Dernbach

England Thrash New Zealand to Win T20 Series

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 16/02/2013 11:05

England Cricket
16/02/2013 11:05

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