New Zealand floundered to a massive 40-run loss to England in the first Twenty20 international at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
The tourists batted with aggression in setting New Zealand 215 for the win, then backed that up with precision bowling and superb fielding in restricting the Black Caps to 9-174.
England capitalised on Eden Park’s short straight boundaries, clubbing 15 sixes in their innings as they set their highest Twenty20 score to date.
Their 7-214 comfortably bettered the previous best, 6-202 against South Africa in Johannesburg three years ago, and also equalled the highest score at Eden Park set by Australia against New Zealand eight years ago.
England’s batsmen displayed excellent timing, Luke Wright’s quickfire 42 from 20 balls including four sixes and three fours leading the way.
Eoin Morgan chipped in with 46 from 26, while Jonny Bairstow (38 from 22) and Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 32 from 16 combined to present New Zealand with a formidable run chase.
The Black Caps did themselves no favours with some uncharacteristically sloppy fielding, putting down five catches, including two from Ross Taylor early on.
None of the New Zealand bowlers managed to stem the English onslaught, with Mitchell McClenaghan the most economical at 1-29 off his four overs.
Andy Ellis, Ronnie Hira and Trent Boult picked up a brace apiece but all went for 40 runs or more.
In reply, rookie opener Hamish Rutherford started well, slapping consecutive fours off Steven Finn as the Kiwis started promisingly in collecting 13 off the first over.
But the run chase turned into something of a grind after that, Stuart Broad and Jade Dernbach closing down the Black Caps with intelligent bowling backed up by some sharp fielding.
Broad removed Rutherford two balls into the fourth over for 18, then captain Brendon McCullum sliced a thick edge from Finn high for Morgan to take a top catch running back from point to leave New Zealand 2-46 after five overs.
Taylor, returning to international cricket for the first time since he was relieved of the captaincy two months ago, arrived at the crease to a standing ovation.
Having made himself unavailable for the tour of South Africa, Taylor’s rusty work in the field was replicated with the bat and his dismissal for 13 left New Zealand struggling at 3-77 after nine overs.
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro kept the score ticking over without seriously threatening the England total. Guptill was gone at the end of the 13th over, slamming Wright straight to Broad at mid-off, top-scoring for the Black Caps with 44 from 32.
The pressure of the run chase overwhelmed the lower order, the Black Caps losing 5-63 before McClenaghan and Hira saw New Zealand through the final over with one wicket intact.
