As it happens, there's a reason why international cricket matches in New Zealand are rarely held in October. As a well-planned match at Hagley Oval was ruined by continuous rain, a truly magnificent sunset above Christchurch gave way to dankness and mizzle after dark, sending a full house home disappointed.
The fact that their own players had defeated the other 20 overs was at least enough to satisfy the home crowd. As England's aggressive hitters found it difficult to handle the early-season movement on a green-tinged pitch, New Zealand's six bowlers each claimed a wicket.

The only player to hold off for a considerable amount of time was Sam Curran, who scored a gutsy but lucky 49 not out off 35 balls. England surpassed the venue's par score of 150 thanks to his 19-run dismissal of Jacob Duffy in the final over, setting up what should have been an exciting battle to the end. Now, that will have to wait until Monday, when these teams meet again at the same location.
Both captains were eager to test the conditions, and when Phil Salt, who is typically England's banker for a flying start, fell in the second over for three, caught at short third off Duffy after failing to middle any of his four deliveries, it was inevitable that the batters would have a difficult evening.Jacob Bethell started his lengthy and well-publicized audition for a comparable role in the Ashes at No. 3 after that. Let's just say that this showing didn't exactly support his assertions. A solid swipe for six down the ground was one of the back-to-back boundaries that followed three air-shots in five dot-balls. He then top-edged a steepler back to the bowler for 15 off 13 after climbing across Matt Henry's short ball.

Jos Buttler's old-school skill and knack for finding a scoring opportunity helped England come out of the powerplay with some momentum at 44 for 2. However, he only added five more runs from his final nine balls after losing momentum and reaching 18 from his first ten balls.This didn't appear to matter at first, as Harry Brook hit two sixes in his first three balls to meet Jimmy Neesham's seamers. Tom Banton, in his new role in the middle of the innings, failed to get going as Neesham came back with a cutter that flew off the captain's pads and bowled him for 20 from 14.

Mitchell Santner received his reward for an otherwise relentless stint when he reached nine from eight balls during the ten-over drinks break and then smashed his first ball of the resumption to long-on. England was in danger at 81 for 5 when Buttler followed an over later and was caught at mid-off after failing to knock Michael Bracewell's spin off his length.This didn't appear to matter at first, as Harry Brook hit two sixes in his first three balls to meet Jimmy Neesham's seamers. Tom Banton, in his new role in the middle of the innings, failed to get going as Neesham came back with a cutter that flew off the captain's pads and bowled him for 20 from 14.

Mitchell Santner received his reward for an otherwise relentless stint when he reached nine from eight balls during the ten-over drinks break and then smashed his first ball of the resumption to long-on. England was in danger at 81 for 5 when Buttler followed an over later and was caught at mid-off after failing to knock Michael Bracewell's spin off his length.

Oval Invincibles' most recent Hundred victory was mostly due to Jordan Cox and Sam Curran, but mostly because of their individual front-footed assaults from Nos. 3 and 4. Quite distinct skill sets were needed for this rearguard from 6 and 7, as well as a healthy dose of luck, as it turned out.England had an opportunity to recover during a brief rain break in the 17th over, which Cox appeared to take advantage of when he hit Kyle Jamieson's opening ball of the restart past the covers for four. But as soon as Cox's timing failed him, Jamieson struck back, getting a length ball to stick in the pitch. Despite his fifty against Ireland in his last game, this 16 from 18 was yet another lost chance for a player who, for a variety of reasons, is unable to fully understand his chances in the england set up.

Since Brendon McCullum became head coach, Curran has been on the outside looking in, but it seems like his time has come, and even the odds seem to be on his side. Despite his useful performance, he was the victim of two poor catches: Tim Robinson missed a pull to deep midwicket from Henry on 26 and Duffy spilt a steepler in his followthrough on 14. Five balls later, as he lined up a ramp, Jamieson pinned him on the knee-roll, giving him another life. According to a speculative review, he was already mostly off the pitch by the time it pitched outside leg.

Since Brendon McCullum became head coach, Curran has been on the outside looking in, but it seems like his time has come, and even the odds seem to be on his side. Despite his useful performance, he was the victim of two poor catches: Tim Robinson missed a pull to deep midwicket from Henry on 26 and Duffy spilt a steepler in his followthrough on 14. Five balls later, as he lined up a ramp, Jamieson pinned him on the knee-roll, giving him another life. According to a speculative review, he was already mostly off the pitch by the time it pitched outside leg.
As the overs came to an end, however, he took the necessary action, scampering the twos as New Zealand put their men in a deep hole and bringing England to a total that may have been adequate had the weather allowed for a defence. But we'll never know on that.
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