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.
Southee ensuring against mishap. Nothing to see here
"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
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...
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
Saqib Mahmood, who scored his first T20 runs two days ago, in at No. 9
SM Curran c Munro b Ferguson 2 (12m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33
Tom Curran is next man to the middle
L Gregory b Ferguson 0 (3m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
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
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