Cricket: Quick-thinking by skipper gets New Zealand home

Brendon McCullum. Photo / Brett Phibbs

After endurance drove Brendon McCullum's exploits this summer, a more abbreviated stay at the crease earned victory at the World T20.

McCullum's unbeaten 16 from six balls proved a match-winning innings in New Zealand's opening game of the tournament in Chittagong, edging an aggrieved England by nine runs under the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method.

With thunder, lightning and the threat of rain dominating New Zealand's chase of 173, a savvy salvo from McCullum in the fifth over saw his side over the line.

Just two balls after McCullum hit Stuart Broad for six to get New Zealand in front of the D/L calculations for the first time, the umpires pulled the players from the field and left England fuming.

It was the perfect start to the tournament for New Zealand and, ahead of their clash with South Africa tomorrow night, a win would put them in the box seat to reach the semifinals. That position was made possible only by the quick-thinking of McCullum, who assessed the situation in taking 16 from Broad's over. The two captains had talked of leading their teams from the field, such was their concern about the approaching electrical storm, but the umpires allowed play to continue.

With five overs required for a completed match, Broad suggested the timing of the umpires' intervention was convenient, but better bowling would have prevented any disappointment. As it was, his counterpart seized the initiative.

"I think Brendon played a great hand," seamer Kyle Mills said. "He realised there was bad weather on the way, summed up the situation and showed a lot of initiative. The decision was made that someone had to make a play - it was Brendon and he played some fine cricketing strokes to get us over the line."

Now attention turns to South Africa, who lost their opening game to Sri Lanka. "Hopefully we can put up a battle and go two wins up," Mills said. "It would be a nice position to be in after two games."