New Zealand's Mitchell Santner. Photo / AP.
Three key moments from New Zealand's 56-run T20 loss to England.
1. The Kane Williamson run out
New Zealand had a chance while Williamson was at the crease.
Nathan McCullum may have misjudged that Willey's left is his stronger side. He scampered for a single first ball as the Englishman
swooped in the covers to inspire a direct hit which found Williamson short of his ground on 57 from 37.
It raised the question whether there is too much reliance that Williamson and, to a lesser extent Ross Taylor, will guarantee a platform which automatically manifests victories.
2. Rash middle order shots
Colin Munro's second ball hoick across the line on one, Luke Ronchi's attempted fourth ball ramp on five, Tim Southee's laissez-faire slap to mid-off first ball and Nathan McCullum's air bound paddle to a waiting fielder on three off nine were all awkward shots. The subsequent dismissals let down New Zealand's cause, especially with the latter trio such experienced players. Compare that to Williamson who marched on playing high percentage strokes until the run out glitch.
Introspection is required so New Zealand's batting plan avoids placing too much responsibility on too few when they head to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
New Zealand lost five wickets for four runs from 1.5 overs to finish the job. Willey's two for 22 from 2.1, Ben Stokes' two for 24 off three and Mark Wood's three for 26 off three exemplified the hosts' bowling tenacity.
3. Joe Root's 68 off 46 balls
The innings deservedly won him man-of-the-match as his conventional strokes brought runs. His team, who are being described as 'New England', again took the visitors' ODI World Cup style and tweaked it to their advantage. Root anchored the transformation. His decision to opt out of a legside ramp to late cut Southee in the eighth over epitomised his batting craftsmanship.
#Ford the driving force behind the Black Caps
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