The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsIf New Zealand were ever going to have a chance of chasing this record score down, it needed contributions from the majority of the top order and Brendon McCullum’s intent was clear from the start, walking down the pitch at England’s opening bowler Steven Finn, who was likely feeling deja vu after the Black Caps skipper dismantled the bowler in the recent World Cup.
However it was the England bowler who was victorious on this occasion, sending back the dangerous opening batsman, hitting his off-stump and removing one of the most devastating batsman in the game early. Guptill was next to go for 22, again looking to force the game but feathering a catch through to Buttler off Finn but Williamson was looking in good nick, with the rate consistent with England’s early innings.
Williamson raced along to 45 but was undone by his former Yorkshire teammate Rashid who forced the young batsman into a mistake, hitting the ball high in the air with Root taking a comfortable catch to put New Zealand in trouble at 94/3.
New Zealand continued to create mini partnerships with Ross Taylor looking in imperious form but just when you thought they were forging into a good position, mistakes would cost them and next to go was Elliott who was run out having reached 24 when hesitation on a comfortable two saw Billings run from the deep to throw the ball into Buttler who duly nicked the bails off to leave New Zealand on 160-4 with overs beginning to creep down on the Black Caps.
Rashid, on his return to the side continued to cause problems with his array of deliveries and got his second wicket of the match when debutant Santner edged to Jordan for 15 who took a smart catch to his left. The Yorkshire spinner got his third next ball sending the dangerous Luke Ronchi back to the hutch for a golden duck with New Zealand in deep trouble and Rashid on a hat-trick.
Before the hat-trick ball could be bowled, Finn returned to take the wicket of New Zealand’s last real hope Taylor, who was LBW and despite a review from the New Zealand batsman, the umpire’s call sent him packing for 57 as the sun began to shine on England’s new era. Rashid was unsuccessful with the hat-trick ball but got a fourth in his final over when Henry was LBW in what looked a suspicious decision but his figures of 4-55 marked a welcome return to international cricket for the leg-spinner.
England looked to wrap the game up quickly and Finn, who was also having a excellent game induced the edge of Nathan McCullum with Jordan taking the slip catch despite a small fumble as New Zealand were now 198-9. The game ended the next ball but this time Jordan got the wicket with McClenaghan holing out to Alex Hales in the deep to wrap the game up with England looking to emerge from a desperate few years in the shorter formats of the game and starting the new dawn in the right manner.
Man of the Match – There were a few candidates for England with Rashid scoring a half-century and taking four wickets and another Joe Root special innings but Jos Buttler’s 66-ball century takes the honours. An exhilarating 129, with the wicketkeeper coming into the fray at a crucial time and forging an outstanding partnership with Rashid sees him take the accolade.
