Kiwis win series as second T20 is abandoned
The second T20 between England and New Zealand was abandoned after only two deliveries due to rain in London on Thursday, handing the Black Caps a one-nil series win after a long stint in Blighty.
The second T20 between England and New Zealand was abandoned after only two deliveries due to rain in London on Thursday, handing the Black Caps a one-nil series win after a long stint in Blighty.
England were captained by James Tredwell in the absence of Eoin Morgan, who had a finger injury, but he didn't get to do anything other than lose the toss. England went in to bat and lost Michael Lumb in the first over, after which the rain arrived.
There was discussion of a five-per-side game at one stage, but just as the players were about to come onto the field, the rain started pelting down and the covers returned, leaving no time for recovery.
The sold out crowd booed the abandonment as they had been eager to see batsman Kevin Pietersen play his first game for England on home soil in nearly a year.
He last played at home in the Headingley Test against South Africa, after which he went into the 'Textgate' exile, and then picked up the knee injury that kept him out for three more months.
Meanwhile, Morgan confirmed he had picked up a broken finger during the Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa, and would be out for around three weeks after having a small operation on Friday.
He said: "It's looking like an operation (on Friday) to try and get it pinned and ready as soon as possible. It can be as short as two to three (weeks out) and then ongoing from there.
"Obviously it will be closely monitored by our backroom staff, who have been exceptional, and hopefully I'll get back to full fitness as soon as possible."
New Zealand won both limited-overs series on this trip, prompting a number of counties to recruit their players for the Friends Life T20 campaigns, including Kyle Mills and Ian Butler.
England: Michael Lumb, Alex Hales, Luke Wright, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, James Tredwell (capt), Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach, Boyd Rankin
New Zealand: Hamish Rutherford, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (capt, wk), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Nathan McCullum, Ian Butler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ronnie Hira
Latest
-
West IndiesWest Indies coach Phil Simmons dismisses claims Odean Smith was ‘victimised’
CWI also rubbished the ‘mischievous’ allegations.
-
ZimbabweBrendan Taylor banned under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and Anti-Doping Code
The ICC have handed down a suspension as expected.
-
The AshesThe Ashes: Jofra Archer felt like he had let everyone down by missing series
The 26-year-old has been out for 10 months with a troublesome elbow injury.
-
The AshesKatherine Brunt: Captain Heather Knight led by example with massive Ashes ton
Knight’s hundred helped England avoid the follow-on but they trail Australia by 102 runs.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes: Brilliant Heather Knight century keeps England in the fight in Test
Captain Knight scored more than half of England’s total to help them avoid the follow-on.
-
IndiaRohit Sharma returns to lead India on white ball series against West Indies
Rohit Sharma has passed fit.
-
T20 cricketEngland prospect Tom Banton hopes improved glovework can boost his credentials
The big-hitting batter donned the gloves for England’s third Twenty20 against the West Indies.
-
T20 cricketEngland in the West Indies: Captain Eoin Morgan to miss remainder of series
The batter suffered a minor thigh injury ahead of the third of five T20 internationals.
-
The HundredThe Hundred: Southern Brave to launch defence against Welsh Fire in August
Reigning women’s champions Oval Invincibles will take on Northern Superchargers in their opening match.
-
T20 cricketEngland in the West Indies: Phil Salt savours T20 debut despite defeat in Barbados
The 25-year-old was bowled for 57 from 24 balls in the country where he lived as a child.