Cricket Match Report | England beat New Zealand by 65 runs in T20

England 236-4 (20 overs) beat New Zealand 171 (18 overs)

Phil Salt and Harry Brook led England to a commanding 65-run win over New Zealand in the second T20, giving the tourists a 1-0 series lead.

Author | Sophie T

Stadium | Hagley Oval 

Salt and Brook put on 129 in 69 balls as England amassed 236-4, the highest T20 total at Christchurch's Hagley Oval and the fifth-highest in England’s history in the format. Salt continued his rich vein of form with 85 from 56 balls.

It was captain Brook who dominated proceedings, striking five sixes in 78 off 35 deliveries. He exploited a rare lapse in New Zealand’s fielding, including a dropped chance by Jimmy Neesham at long-on, and left the Black Caps’ bowlers struggling to contain him.

Brook’s T20 international record remains modest for a player of his ability, averaging 29 with five fifties in 50 innings, but this was among his finest performances in either white-ball format as captain.

His assault meant New Zealand required their highest ever T20 chase, and they never truly threatened despite a bright start that saw them reach 87-2 after nine overs. Adil Rashid was instrumental with figures of 4-32, while England’s fielding remained sharp. 

On the other side of that partnership, Salt’s innings continues an impressive run that includes scores of 89 against Ireland and an unbeaten 141 against South Africa in his six T20 appearances since early September. He struck one six and 11 fours, repeatedly finding the gaps through cover and behind square on the leg side.

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The hosts were bowled out for 171 in 18 overs, leaving England well placed to seal the series in Auckland on Thursday.

England managed to dominate in all areas.

Even with a batting-friendly pitch and a strong wind aiding six-hitting, New Zealand faced an uphill task. The dropped catch of Brook provided a clear turning point, while wicketkeeper Tim Seifert also spilled a catch off Bethell early in the innings and Sam Curran was dropped twice before finishing on 49 in Saturday’s washout. For a side renowned for its fielding, such lapses were uncharacteristic.

New Zealand continue to search for their first win of the home season after losing the 2nd T20I against England.

Five games in now, without a W to their name.
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.#Newzealand #NZvsENG #Cricket #T20 #MitchellSantner pic.twitter.com/IMVXF4XK9P

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) October 20, 2025

Rashid also missed a difficult caught-and-bowled chance, but England held onto ten catches, eight of which came in the deep. A third-wicket stand of 69 from 48 balls between Seifert and Mark Chapman offered New Zealand a glimmer of hope, but Chapman fell to Liam Dawson and Seifert to Rashid in a collapse of four wickets in 3.1 overs. Dawson finished with 2-38, though one expensive over cost 23 runs.

Seamer Brydon Carse made an immediate impact, removing Tim Robinson with his first delivery and bowling Rachin Ravindra for eight. He finished with 2-27, a timely performance that leaves Jofra Archer likely to secure one of England’s pace bowling slots for the World Cup.