England and New Zealand, finalists from the previous World Cup, are battling horns again in preparation for the coming World Cup in India. Both teams have their first eleven cut out with injury scares looming over Williamson and Roy. Stokes returned for England after one and a half years and put on a decent display in the first ODI. However, thanks to the heroics of Devon Conway and Mitchell, who scored hundreds, New Zealand ended up on the right side of things. Ravindra also showed promise by dismissing key English batters. He will probably be the third spinner going to India, accompanying the duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner. With these takeaways, both teams stepped into the next match. However, with the weather around only 34 overs per side match was possible.
First Innings
With the firepower England has in their batting lineup, they were always going to enjoy a shortened game. But it was not a cup of tea for the Three Lions this time. Trent Boult, making his comeback, struck quickly as he always does. Bairstow closed the face of his bat a bit early, and Santner leapt like a Jaguar to take a brilliant one-hander. It was followed by a trademark swinger that got the better of Joe Root. Stokes was dismissed by playing an attacking shot to Boult. Henry soon joined the party by sending Brook packing. Butler, as always, tried to counterattack. He scored a few boundaries before Santer dismissed him. After that, the English lower order showed its true colors. Moeen Ali and Livingstone partnered for 48 runs, with Moeen doing most of the scoring. Moeen fell for 33 to a brilliant diving catch at point by Glenn Phillips, at which point Livingstone decided it was time to shift gears. Livingstone took Southee to the cleaners, scoring 17 of his over. Sam Curran also maintained a healthy strike rate at the other end. However, with both well settled on the crease, Boult returned to the attack. He was bowling pinpoint yorkers, a display typical of him. Southee went for runs, however. In the end, through brilliant batting by the lower order, England reached a total of 226 runs. Liam Livingstone scored 95 with a strike rate of 121. Curran and Moeen Ali also scored 42 and 33, respectively.
Second Innings
The Kiwis provided their T20 specialist, Fin Allen, a chance to prove his mettle in the longer format before naming a provisional squad for the World Cup in India. He survived a first ball review, which was followed by an inswinger by Willey that rattled into his stumps. Young was the next to come in. He played a few elegant shots. Gus Atkinson bowled a fiery spell that reflected his true potential. After that, Conway was caught behind on his delivery; Young was dismissed thanks to a direct hit by Willey. After that, The Men In Black showed little resistance. Mitchell scored a worth-mentioning half-century but fell to full toss bowled by Moeen Ali. Before that, Reece Topley dismissed Latham and Ravindra. The pick of the bowlers was Willey and Topley, with three wickets each. However, Gus Atikinson’s fiery spell would have provided selectors with a sigh of relief. England has announced their squad for the World Cup, while Kiwis are yet to promote their team for the World Cup.
