Trans-Tasman Trophy, 6th T20I: New Zealand vs England - Things which went wrong for the hosts

New Zealand v England: T20 Tri Series

England finally managed a consolation win as they defeated New Zealand by 2 runs in the 6th T20I of the Trans-Tasman Trophy at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

Being put in to bat, England posted a handsome total of 194/7 in 20 overs but towards the end, the Kiwis faltered in the chase and finished their innings on 192/4.

Despite losing the match, New Zealand qualified for the final of the T20I tri-series on the basis of their superior net run-rate.

It will be a trans-Tasman final as Australia and New Zealand will lock horns with each other at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, February 21.

Now, let us find out the factors that led to New Zealand's loss.

#4 Not able to contain England batsmen

New Zealand v England: T20 Tri Series

Kane Williamson's team was not able to defend 243 against Australia two days ago and the skipper must have thought that the things would be different if his side batted second on Sunday. However, the Kiwis did not seem to learn from their past mistakes and lost against England as well.

Dawid Malan (53) and skipper Eoin Morgan's (80*) 93-run 3rd-wicket stand powered England to 117 inside 13 overs and despite losing wickets at regular intervals after that, the visitors managed to post a total of 194/7 in 20 overs.

Although the hosts started the chase in an explosive manner, they were not able to cross the finish line and fell short by just 2 runs in the end.

For his match-winning knock, Morgan, who returned to the England lineup after missing recent matches with a groin strain, was adjudged Man of the Match.

#3 Bowlers being too expensive

New Zealand v England: T20 Tri Series

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl first. Tim Southee and Trent Boult removed dangerous Jason Roy (21) and Alex Hales (1) early,

Dawid Malan (53) and skipper Eoin Morgan's (80*) 93-run 3rd-wicket stand powered England to 117 inside 13 overs.

The duo took all the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners and laid a solid foundation for a huge score.

Although Boult claimed 3 wickets, he was looted for 50 runs in his 4 overs at an economy of 12.50.

Mitchell Santner went for 32 runs in his 2 overs and remained wicketless.

Southee was the only bowler to concede less than 6 runs an over as he gave away 22 runs in his 4 overs and claimed 2 wickets.

#2 Slowing down at the end

New Zealand v England: T20 Tri Series

England posted an uphill target of 195 for New Zealand to win the T20I and the hosts had the target well within their reach until the end.

Martin Guptill (62) and Colin Munro (57) came out all guns blazing and fired the Kiwis to 78 runs inside the first 7 overs.

Kane Williamson departed soon after Munro's dismissal and then Mark Chapman (37) brought up a 64-run partnership with Guptill to take the Kiwis to 164/3 in 16.3 overs.

After Guptill's dismissal, New Zealand could not get 30 runs in last 3 overs and lost the game by just 2 runs.

"We wanted to win, England played very well but there's a good spirit in the camp and we're into the final. There were a few moments there, the way their left-handers played with the ball turning into the bat, we thought it would be a challenge, using the change of pace from the seamers. [Guptill?] Someone had to try and gets us close and Munners at the top of the order got us off to a brilliant start. Very mature knock, to get so close, one hit away. But credit to England for the way they played. [Final against Aus?] Small boundaries, good pitch, I'm sure there'll be plenty of runs," Kane Williamson said after the loss.

#1 Tom Curran's last over

New Zealand v England: T20 Tri Series

At one stage the Black Caps needed 31 from 22 and then 21 from last 2 overs. The 19th over of New Zealand's innings from Chris Jordan saw a lot of drama (a boundary and 2 no-balls) but went for just 9 runs.

Although New Zealand had already made it to the final of the T20I tri-series against Australia, they required 12 runs from the last over to win on Sunday.

Eoin Morgan handed over the ball to Tom Curran and he successfully defended 12 runs and ensured a consolation win for England.

New Zealand batsmen Colin de Grandhomme and Mark Chapman had to score 12 runs in the last 6 deliveries but they failed to do so.

Just one boundary came off Chapman's bat when a full-toss on the pads from Curran was played across through to the fence at backward square.

Curran gave away just 9 runs in the last over as New Zealand fell short by 3 runs, ending a run of four defeats in a row for England.

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Edited by Tanya Rudra