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England crumbled to a heavy 74-run defeat to New Zealand in the third T20 international at Edgbaston, spurning the chance to clinch a series win with one game to play.
Finn Allen (83 off 53 balls) and Glenn Phillips (69 off 34) each fired magnificent half-centuries for the Black Caps as they posted an imposing 202-5 from their 20 overs after winning the toss.
In reply, Jos Buttler’s side never came close, with the captain and Moeen Ali the only two to make notable contributions with the bat. Buttler cracked three sixes and as many fours in a 21-ball 40, while Moeen managed 26 off 16 before England were eventually bundled out for 128 in 18.3 overs.
Earlier, the hosts had been gifted a bonus breakthrough in the fourth over of New Zealand’s innings, with Devon Conway (9) run out, but it was one rare bright spark as the visitors otherwise dominated proceedings.
Tim Seifert (19) fell to Liam Livingstone, courtesy of a sharp stumping by Buttler, but England’s spinners were otherwise brutally targeted by both Allen and Phillips.
Livingstone and Adil Rashid’s combined eight overs were plundered for 98 runs, with Allen launching Rashid for three-straight sixes to start the the 15th over, soon after bringing up a 35-ball fifty with a maximum off Livingstone.
Livingstone came in for further tap too, from Phillips this time, in the 18th over, as, having notched a 27-ball half-century off the first ball, the batter proceeded to smash the spinner for three sixes in the space of four balls.
Gus Atkinson (2-31) was again impressive, the fast bowler striking twice in the next over – including bowling Phillips with the perfect yorker – to at least limit the damage somewhat but, in truth, the game had already got away from England at that point.
The hosts’ chase sputtered from the very start, with Will Jacks (11) and David Malan (2) falling inside the six-over powerplay which cost just 30 runs – England’s second-lowest total at that stage of a T20I since 2015 – and Jonny Bairstow (12) was added with the first ball of the seventh.
Harry Brook failed to further progress his case for inclusion in the squad for the 50-over World Cup in India next month, as he fell for eight, skying one from the impressive Ish Sodhi (3-33) out to mid-on.
Buttler and Moeen briefly rallied things, but the skipper’s wicket was the first of six to fall for 28 as the England chase swiftly subsided thereafter, Kyle Jamieson (3-23) impressing for the Kiwis.
What’s next?
England’s T20 international series with New Zealand continues at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. Build-up starts at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket ahead of the first ball at 6pm.
England Women, meanwhile, will be aiming to rebound from their shock second T20I defeat to Sri Lanka with a victory at in Derby on Wednesday. The series-deciding third T20I gets under way at 6pm with coverage starting on Sky Sports Cricket at 5.30pm.
Watch the fourth T20 international between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket from 5.30pm on Tuesday (6pm first ball). Stream with NOW for £26 a month for 12 months.
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