******** James Vince made his first T (half-century in England’s victory over New Zealand)
First Twenty 20, Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
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New Zealand 153 – 5:Taylor 44, Jordan 2 – 28 |
England 154 – 3:Vince 59, Santner 3 – 23 |
England won by seven wickets; lead series 1-0 |
Scorecard |
James Vince ensured England began their winter tour of New Zealand on a high with a seven-wicket victory in the first Twenty 20 in Christchurch.
Vince struck a fine (off) balls as England overhauled a target of 154 with nine balls to spare in Chris Silverwood’s first game as head coach.
Ross Taylor made 44 in New Zealand’s 153 – 5, with Chris Jordan taking 2- 28 and debutant Pat Brown 1 – 30.
The second game of the five-match series is in Wellington on Sunday.
England, who haverested several first-choice players, made the most of winning the toss, with New Zealand unable to find any fluency with the bat.
Although New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner impressed with 3 – 23, England were always in control of what proved to be a simple run chase .
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Vince leads England charge
Vince has been a source of frustration throughout his international career, often criticized for making attractive starts but not converting them into match-winning scores.
With key players such as Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler missing the T 20 series, Vince is among those given a chance to impress before next year T 20 World Cup in Australia.
He arrived with England 37 – 1, after an out-of-sorts Dawid Malan was caught at third man, and looked sharp, driving crisply and offering support to a set Jonny Bairstow.
Vince reached his maiden T 20 international half-century from 33 balls and looked as though he would lead England home as he hit strike bowler Tim Southee for a towering straight six in the 15 th over.
However, with 32 needed for victory, he tamely chipped a full toss from Santner to Martin Guptill in the deep to end a 54 – run partnership with captain Eoin Morgan.
Vince’s dismissal may have briefly raised New Zealand’s hopes but Morgan went on the attack before finishing the match off with six over mid-wicket.
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