A common view exhibits the covers on the pitch as rain abandons play in the course of the first T20I between New Zealand and England in Christchurch on October 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: AFP

The first T20 worldwide between New Zealand and England was deserted on Saturday (October 18, 2025) after rain prevented the vacationers from defending their rating of 153-6.

Rain arrived at Hagley Oval simply after an unbeaten 49 from Sam Curran had lifted England to a aggressive rating off 20 overs on an unpredictable pitch.

New Zealand’s batsmen by no means obtained an opportunity to chase, leaving simply two matches to resolve the collection — in Christchurch once more on Monday and Auckland on Thursday.

England’s batsmen struggled for fluency after being despatched in, diminished to 81-5 within the twelfth over when veteran opener Jos Buttler was caught within the deep for 29.

Curran injected some momentum by way of a flurry of boundaries over the closing levels, with 19 runs coming from the ultimate over bowled by seamer Jacob Duffy.

England’s innings was interrupted by rain, with gamers compelled off for half-hour after 16.2 overs with the rating at 110-5.

Captain Mitchell Santner took 1-20 off 4 overs of left-arm spin to be probably the most economical of New Zealand’s six bowlers, who all took one wicket every.

Published – October 18, 2025 02:38 pm IST

Post Views: 24