Prior to the downpour started, the English team's season start had turned into a disappointing affair. On a chilly Canterbury evening, the team's batters were caught off guard by seam movement – “It’s rare in limited-overs cricket, so any movement can be startling,” stated Harry Brook. They were also stifled by the spin of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, stumbling to 81 for five until first Sam Curran appeared to rescue them, followed by the weather definitively did.
Weak Beginning for England
Just a pair of batters scored more than 20, and the fall of Jos Buttler for 29, the former captain turning into the fifth wicket to fall, highlighting a sluggish opening to the team's batting until Curran’s 49 boosted their position.
“Having him return is crucial; he contributes significantly with batting, bowling, and fielding,” said Harry Brook. “For him to get us out of a bit of a hole and up to a respectable total was awesome. He’s a valuable player to have in the middle order, a left-hander as well – he’s going to be around for a while, I think.”
Brook’s Milestone Marred
Prior to the match, Harry Brook had been presented with a commemorative cap – almost identical to his regular one – to mark his 50th appearance in this format, the white-ball captain now the 14th Englishman to achieve this feat. But, the peak on his cap was the only high point of his night, which featured a unsuccessful toss and a equally disappointing exit, clean bowled off his pads just as he got into form after a awkward start.
Curran’s Lucky Reprieves
What luck England had was greedily hoovered up by Curran, who was helped by three remarkable let-offs. He was on 14 when he skied a Duffy ball toward the Canterbury air, from which precipitation had, fortunately, begun to come down. The ball returned freshly lubricated and promptly slipped through the fielder's grasp.
After a brief interruption and seven deliveries after, Curran, now on 26, lifted the ball to point, where Robinson did not have to move but nonetheless failed to handle it. Then, in the subsequent over, Curran tried to scoop a Jamieson ball that was too full for that action, failed to connect entirely, and was pinned on the leg.
There was little doubt about where the ball was heading, and the official agreed, but by this stage Curran was the last recognised batter and England had reviews to spare. After one look at a replay, the player was halfway to the pavilion, gloves off, when it was established that the ball had pitched beyond leg stump and he was summoned back. He scored another 19 runs off his last eight balls to push England to 153/6, at which point the rain returned to end the match.
Team Confidence Stays High
But, their inability to answer the questions presented by the Kiwis' bowlers does not mean the team will be looking for any alternative solutions. “Obviously we didn’t get the start we wanted but the message is going to be just double down,” said Brook. “Our lineup is designed so that in tough spots, someone can always rescue us from difficulty.”
New Zealand’s Positive Outlook
In spite of those two drops, the Kiwis will be encouraged by the way they dismantled England’s theoretically strong batting lineup, their six bowlers claiming a wicket apiece. “Not knowing how the game would have played out we can only judge on our performance and I guess we’re happy with where we’re at,” said Kyle Jamieson. “I think we made good improvements from when we played Australia a couple of weeks ago. It’s just growth really. As long as we continue along that path that’s a win for us, and that’s what success looks like.”
