END OF OVER:
20 | 4 Runs | ENG: 166/7 (15 runs required, RR: 8.30)

  • Tom Curran14 (10b)
  • Saqib Mahmood3 (4b)
  • Tim Southee4-0-28-0
  • Ish Sodhi3-0-30-1

5.35pm: Right, that's it from us for today/tonight. Matt's report is in the slot, just asking for you to see it away... There are two more games to come in this series, and we'll be back for more from Napier on Friday. Thanks for your contribs, until then, it's ta ra from myself and Matt!

5.30pm: Time for the presentations, starting with Man of the Match Colin de Grandhomme: "Yeah, enjoying number four, hit it well in Sri Lanka and it seemed to carry on at home. The earlier you get in, it's not nice for the openers but it's nice for me and it gives you more access to the boundaries."

England captain Eoin Morgan: "Think that's one that got away, we were in control for the whole chase until we were three or four down, probably that's a lack of experience but the guys need to get more games into them at this level. But certainly that's one that slipped away. Everything is about playing smart, aggressive cricket, and new guys coming in. There were a lot of positives but it's a must-win game in Napier now. Tom Curran bowled really well at the death and Sam Curran has made big strides this series."

New Zealand captain Tim Southee: "It showed that if we could keep taking wickets, it would get tougher and tougher for the news guys coming in. I think with Morgan going they were nicely placed but we kept chipping away. Great to see Colin come out and get a score. It's nice to win game like that, could have gone either way at the halfway mark."

5.20pm: Well, it did go the full Nelson in the end, as New Zealand applied a chokehold on England's chase. ESPNcricinfo's forecaster had them at a 90% chance just before Eoin Morgan got out - but that sparked a collapse of 5 for 10 in three overs, as the innings suddenly entered a death-overs spiral. Dawid Malan was unhappy with his manner of dismissal, having played nicely for 55 off 34, but James Vince's was perhaps more damaging, leaving two new batsmen at the crease with three overs to go. Credit to Tim Southee, too, who kept going with his frontline quicks before slipping in an over from Sodhi with the tail to bowl at and then closing things out himself. Victory puts New Zealand 2-1 up in the series, ahead of the fourth match of five, up on the north island in Napier.

19.6
2
Southee to TK Curran, 2 runs, short, wide and slapped up and over cover point for a couple more - but it won't be enough, New Zealand win by 14 runs after an excellent display of bowling at the death
19.5
1
Southee to Mahmood, 1 run, short ball outside off, Mahmood pulls it out towards deep midwicket for one

Southee ensuring against mishap. Nothing to see here

19.4
0
Southee to Mahmood, no run, low full toss, swatted straight back to the bowler in his follow through

"Tickner and Ferguson with two very differing displays, but identical figures!" notes William G. "You love to see it." Aye, both were good in their own way

19.3
1
Southee to TK Curran, 1 run, full and wide and flayed towards cover set back, this time they do run one
19.2
0
Southee to TK Curran, no run, pitched up outside off, 127kph but Curran can't get under it, again declines the single down the ground
19.1
0
Southee to TK Curran, no run, moves across outside off as Southee goes full... into the pads, Curran sends Mahmood back

Tom Curran on strike, England needing 19 from Tim Southee's final over. Is there a Brathwaite finish in this one?

END OF OVER:
19 | 12 Runs | ENG: 162/7 (19 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.52, RRR: 19.00)

  • Tom Curran11 (6b)
  • Saqib Mahmood2 (2b)
  • Ish Sodhi3-0-30-1
  • Lockie Ferguson4-0-25-2

Dave Fern: "We need Ben Stokes and quickly please!!!" More than a few deflected overthrows required this time, I reckon...

18.6
1
Sodhi to TK Curran, 1 run, steps down and swats across the line, squirts out into the off side for one
18.5
6
Sodhi to TK Curran, SIX, tossed up, straightening a touch, right into the meat of Curran's blade - that's outta the park! Curran keeps England clinging on by their fingertips!
18.5
1w
Sodhi to TK Curran, 1 wide, goes for the reverse-swipe... spinning away from the batsman and called wide
18.4
1
Sodhi to Mahmood, 1 run, floated up full, Mahmood plinks a lofted shot down the ground
18.3
1
Sodhi to TK Curran, 1 run, tossed up and Curran heaves across the line, just a single towards deep midwicket
18.2
1
Sodhi to Mahmood, 1 run, flighted, Mahmood goes for a leg-side hoick and manages to get it away for one
18.1
1
Sodhi to TK Curran, 1 run, tossed up and clipped through the covers going back

Two overs to go, Southee chucks the ball to Ish Sodhi

END OF OVER:
18 | 3 Runs 2 Wkts | ENG: 150/7 (31 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.33, RRR: 15.50)

  • Tom Curran2 (2b)
  • Saqib Mahmood0 (0b)
  • Lockie Ferguson4-0-25-2
  • Blair Tickner4-0-25-2

"16 balls 4 wkts. Are England choking," murmurs Vinit

17.6
1
Ferguson to TK Curran, 1 run, shortish and prodded for one into the off side

Saqib Mahmood, who scored his first T20 runs two days ago, in at No. 9

17.5
W
Ferguson to SM Curran, OUT, dug in, slower delivery and Curran can't manufacture the power - spooned out to deep point! Another one bites Lockie's dust and this is looking grim for England now. New Zealand holding their nerve superbly at the death

SM Curran c Munro b Ferguson 2 (12m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33

17.4
1
Ferguson to TK Curran, 1 run, short of a length and stabbed through backward point

Tom Curran is next man to the middle

17.3
W
Ferguson to Gregory, OUT, bowled 'im! Cranks it up to 144 clicks and beats an impetuous mow across the line... Two-ball duck for Gregory and England are really feeling the heat. Ferguson strikes just when his team needed him

L Gregory b Ferguson 0 (3m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

17.2
0
Ferguson to Gregory, no run, short of a length, 134kph/83mph and Gregory swats across the line without making contact
17.1
1
Ferguson to SM Curran, 1 run, fullish around off stump, dabbed for one

Three overs to go, Lockie Ferguson returns. Lewis Gregory is the new batsman

END OF OVER:
17 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG: 147/5 (34 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.64, RRR: 11.33)

  • Sam Curran1 (4b)
  • Blair Tickner4-0-25-2
  • Tim Southee3-0-24-0
16.6
W
Tickner to Vince, OUT, fullish, tries to go up and over... but picks out mid-off! Vince throws his head back in disgust, a soft dismissal just when England needed him to be the man to take them home. Flogged hard but it went at around head height straight to the NZ captain, giving Tickner a second wicket and leaving England in trouble

JM Vince c Southee b Tickner 49 (62m 39b 4x4 1x6) SR: 125.64

"Neesham to bowl the last over; or Sodhi to bowl one more?" That's the question for Tim Southee, CJ

16.5
2
Tickner to Vince, 2 runs, full in the slot, whipped away leg side and Vince picks up two towards cow
16.4
1
Tickner to SM Curran, 1 run, touch shorter and wide enough for Curran to throw the hands through a punch square, Taylor fields it at the second attempt
16.3
0
Tickner to SM Curran, no run, goodish length, pace off and Curran punches to extra cover
16.3
1w
Tickner to SM Curran, 1 wide, slung down very wide with Curran looking to hang on the back foot
16.2
1
Tickner to Vince, 1 run, pitched up outside off, driven through the covers for one

England in New Zealand 2019-20 News

England 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st27DJ MalanT Banton
2nd63DJ MalanJM Vince
3rd49EJG MorganJM Vince
4th3JM VinceSW Billings
5th5JM VinceSM Curran
6th1L GregorySM Curran
7th1TK CurranSM Curran
8th17TK CurranS Mahmood