JOIN USNew Zealand started their World Twenty20 campaign on a positive note after beating England by nine runs via Duckworth-Lewis method in a Group 1 league match that was called off following heavy rain and thunder storm at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Saturday.
After restricting England to 172 for six in their stipulated 20 overs, New Zealand were cruising at 52 for one in 5.2 overs when heavens opened up, interrupting the match. With heavy rains unabated, play could not be resumed and the game was abandoned by the umpires. When rain stopped play, New Zealand were nine runs ahead of England as per the DL method.
It was skipper Brendon McCullum, who pocketed the win for the Kiwis by blasting two sixes and a four in the fifth over off England captain Stuart Broad to put them ahead before rain interrupted play.
Chasing 173 to win, McCullum (16 not out) and opener Kane Williamson (24 not out) added 23 runs off 11 deliveries for the second wicket after the dismissal of opener Martin Guptill (11) in the fourth over. Earlier, England produced a solid batting performance to post a challenging 172 for six against New Zealand in their campaign opener.
ENGLANDLumb c A’rson b McClenaghan33Hales c Anderson b Mills0Ali c McClenaghan b Anderson36 Morgan c Brendon b Southee12 Buttler b Anderson32Bopara (not out)24 Jordan c Southee b Nathan8Bresnan (not out)17Extras (LB-4, W-6)10 Total (for 6 wkts, 20 overs)172Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-73, 3-76, 4-103 (Morgan, 12.2 ov), 5-129 (Buttler, 15.4 ov), 6-148.Bowling: Mills 4-0-36-1, McClenaghan 4-0-22-1, Southee 4-0-46-1, Anderson 4-0-32-2, Nathan McCullum 4-0-32-1. NEW ZEALANDGuptill c Jordan b Dernbach 11Williamson (not out)24B McCullum (not out)16Extras (LB-1) 1 Total (1 wicket; 5.2 overs) 52Fall of wickets: 1-29. Bowling: Ali 1-0-7-0, Dernbach 2-0-13-1, Bresnan 1-0-10-0, Broad 1-0-16-0, Jordan 0.2-0-5-0.