🔗 Share this article

The English T20 contest versus New Zealand concluded just as it started, with a washout. Despite earlier sunny weather, the elements played tricks. Precipitation first appeared at 7.17pm, moments following play commenced. Following a short restart, it returned, paused, gave the ground staff a bit of time to dry the field, allowed the umpires to schedule a late restart, and then fell once again at 9.59pm. Twenty-five balls were bowled.

"You don’t want to come all the way over to New Zealand and have just one match," Brook stated. "Extremely annoying."

For the record, England won the toss and chose to bowl. The initial overs went for four, both hit by Tim Seifert—a tantalising glimpse of the run-scoring a combination of a placid wicket, a wild wind, and the small boundaries could have enabled.

Two of the last three deliveries cleared the ropes, the batters pulling into the stands. The Kiwis were 38/1, off 3.4 overs, when the game officially ended.

Despite his disappointment, Harry still has three ODIs to come, but a trio of this England squad will no longer be involved once the action moves to Mount Maunganui on the weekend. Crawley remains in NZ to prepare for the Ashes while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Jordan Cox (18) head home.

Friday marks the one-year mark of Cox's exclusion from the Test matches in New Zealand with a thumb fracture from practice. He likely hopes his fortune in this country could vary as the weather.

It marked the initial attempt an international had been attempted in Auckland in October and clearly showed the reason. "I suppose this time of year rain is always a potential," commented skipper Santner. "We always enjoy to face England no matter what time of year. The issue being that they spent most of the time they were supposed to be playing England not playing England."

England at least squeezed in a single win, thereby winning the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was as optimistic as the planners: "We’ve had a hell of a lot of fun," he said. "It was very beneficial. To be able to spend time as a group and try to become good mates can only help you during games. We enjoyed ourselves and laughter. It was truly valuable."