England’s T20 series against New Zealand ended as it had started, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the weather teased and taunted. Rain first intervened at 7.17pm, two minutes after the start of play. After a brief resumption it returned, paused, gave the ground staff a bit of time to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a 10pm 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 this part of the world and only play one game,” Harry Brook said. “Very frustrating.”
For the record, England won the toss and chose to bowl. Two of the first three deliveries went for four, both hit by Tim Seifert – a tantalising glimpse of the kind of run-scoring a combination of a placid wicket, a wild wind and Eden Park’s diminutive boundaries might have produced.
Two of the last three deliveries went for six, Rachin Ravindra and Seifert pulling into the stands. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, off 3.4 overs, when the game officially ended.
For all his frustration, Brook at least has three ODIs to come, but three members of this England squad will no longer be involved once the action moves to Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Zak Crawley (no balls faced) will stay in New Zealand to continue his Ashes preparations while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Jordan Cox (18) head home.
Friday marks the first anniversary of Cox being ruled out of England’s Test series here with a broken thumb sustained in training. He must be wishing his luck in this country would be as unpredictable as the weather.
This was the first time an international had been attempted in Auckland in October and neatly illustrated why. “I guess this time of year rain is always a potential,” said Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. “It’s always nice to play England no matter what time of year you play.” The issue being that they spent most of the time they were supposed to be playing England not playing England.
The tourists at least squeezed in one victory, thereby winning the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was as optimistic as whoever scheduled it: “We’ve had a hell of a lot of fun,” he said. “We’ve gained a lot. To be able to spend time together and try to become good mates can only help you on the field. We’ve had a lot of fun and smiles. It’s been very worthwhile.”
