New Zealand vs England Ball by Ball Commentary - ENG in NZ 3 T20Is 2025

Right then, that’s all we have from this called-off, yet entertaining game. It's still 0-0, and both New Zealand and England will be eager to take the lead in the next one, and hopefully rain stays away. The second T20I is set for 20th October, Monday, once again at the Hagley Oval. The action begins at 6.15 am GMT, but make sure to join us early for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand, says that there was a little bit in the wicket as they thought of bowling first. Shares that the guys started very well with the new ball, and it was a good all-round performance from the boys. Adds that they will be playing on different surfaces in India, and traditionally, it will be slow but flat surfaces. They will head to Sri Lanka as well, but before that, they want to win this series and make the fans happy. Closes by sharing that it was challenging on the field but nice to be back with the lads.

Harry Brook, the skipper of England says that the wicket did a bit to start with. Adds that the Kiwi bowlers are pretty skilled and experienced, especially Matt Henry, who made the most of it. Adds that they wanted to adapt to the situation, but with the batting depth they have, they thought they could go for it all the way. Says that they have got some powerful batters in the ranks and can always accelerate at the back end. Tells that they want to be quicker to adapt to the situation as a unit. Mentions that he is enjoying his time leading the side, and they have a great bunch of lads. Ends by saying that they have had a good time in New Zealand and are looking forward to the next game.

Time to hear from the two captains now...

Earlier in the game, England huffed and puffed their way to a competitive total, with Sam Curran’s unbeaten 49 being the top score. Jos Buttler and Harry Brook made useful contributions as well, but regular wickets and the lack of any big partnerships hurt their momentum. New Zealand, on the other hand, put on an excellent all-round bowling display - all six bowlers chipped in with a wicket each and kept the scoring under control to restrict a strong English batting lineup. However, that was all the action that we could get in this game, as it started raining during the innings break, and we never managed to get back out there.

Well, well, well! The handshakes are done, and it’s official - MATCH ABANDONED! Not the result anyone wanted, but with time running out, the rain gods have had the final say. A real pity, as this was shaping up to be an exciting contest. New Zealand will be the more disappointed side, having restricted England to 153/6 and backing themselves to chase it down to take the lead. England, on the other hand, might feel they were a few runs short but will gladly take a share of the spoils.

While we wait, let's hear from James Neesham, who is down having an interview with Shane Bond. He says that not having a central contract with New Zealand and playing both franchise and international cricket has been the best of both worlds. Adds that at 35 and at the back end of his career, he wants as much freedom as possible, and then also being available for the big ICC events for New Zealand, he wants to give his best too. Mentions that when he first played for his country 10-12 years back, the conditions in countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were a bit unknown, but now with leagues like BPL, you get to have an idea and share it with the group. Says that as far as goals go, there are two World Cups coming in the next two years, so he would love to be part of them. Further adds that the most difficult thing is to balance time with family. Tells that earlier it used to be like 7-8 months with one set of players and coaches, but now it is much shorter, a few drinks or a golf session, and then they go their separate ways. Says that they have worked a lot on the environment over the years. When he was young, it was much more like tough love, but now that is not the case, and young players like Rachin Ravindra and Tim Robinson feel more welcome into the team.

UPDATE - 8.54 am GMT - The umpires are making their way out to the middle again, but with umbrellas, and are having a chat with the ground staff. Also, a few people in the crowd are heading back home. Do they know something we don't? Probably! However, the cut-off time for a 5-over contest is 9.33 am GMT, so we still have a bit of time. Fingers crossed!

UPDATE - 8.39 am GMT - More umbrellas go up in the crowd as the rain has gotten even heavier now, in fact, it is pelting down at the moment. The ground staff are also bringing in more covers, which is never a good sign. The waiting game continues...

UPDATE - 8.30 am GMT - The on-field umpires are out in the middle now. They are having a chat with the fourth umpire, who is holding up an umbrella, but the rain has slowed down a bit. Also, the big cover from the square is being removed now, and only the pitch is covered. SCRATCH THAT! The big cover is back on now and it looks like the umpires are also not fully satisfied with the outfield. Stick with us for more news.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

UPDATE - 8.21 am GMT - Uh..oh! We might be in for a bit longer mid-break because the rain is back here at the Hagley Oval. The covers are on, and it looks a bit heavy, but there is also a wind blowing across, which indicates this could fade away soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

Chasing 154 for victory, New Zealand will be confident, but they'll need to bat smartly and make the most of the short boundaries to secure a 1-0 lead. Can the Black Caps pull it off, or will the England bowlers come out firing? We’ll find out soon. Join us shortly for the second innings.

Matt Henry of New Zealand is up for a quick chat. He says that playing cricket this early was always going to be a bit of unknown. Adds that they knew they would get some lateral movement and the wicket is on the slower side. Mentions that the batters just need to back themselves and they have enough firepower to get the job done. Says that it is about absorbing the pressure and putting back on the opponents. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the chase.

It was a collective effort from the New Zealand bowlers, with all six used on the night picking up a wicket each. Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner stood out, combining for 12 overs, conceding just 73 runs, and claiming three wickets between them. Duffy started well but was a bit expensive toward the end.

England produced an excellent recovery to post a fighting total of 153/6 on a tricky pitch for batting. After being asked to bat first, they got off to a shaky start, losing Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell within the Powerplay. Jos Buttler and Harry Brook showed promise with brief cameos, but both fell after getting decent starts. The innings was steadied by Sam Curran, who anchored from one end with a composed unbeaten 49 off 35 deliveries, guiding England past the 150-run mark and giving their bowlers something to work with.

Jacob Duffy (3-0-26-1)  to bowl the final over for New Zealand. Can Sam Curran take England past 150? Let's find out.

Brydon Carse comes in at number 8.

UPDATE  - Good news, folks! The rain has stopped. Covers are off, and the umpires, along with the players from both sides, make their way to resume the remainder of the innings. No overs are lost. It will be Jordan Cox and Sam Curran to continue the batting for England, while Kyle Jamieson will finish his incomplete over. Let's go...

UPDATE - 7.35 GMT - The drizzle has intensified, prompting the umpires to call for the covers. Players are making their way off the field. Fingers crossed, it's just a brief interruption, and play can resume shortly.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

It has started to drizzle at Hagley Oval and the ground staff are getting ready with the covers near the ropes.

Jordan Cox walks in at number 7.

Michael Bracewell comes onto roll his arm.

Sam Curran comes in at number 6.

TIME FOR DRINKS! New Zealand have kept things tight so far, taking regular wickets to maintain control. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy have been the standout bowlers, consistently applying pressure. The hosts will look to maintain this momentum through the remainder of the innings. England, meanwhile, will need a solid partnership and will be relying on Jos Buttler to anchor the innings if they hope to surpass the 170 mark.

Tom Banton comes in at number 5.

James Neesham gets the ball now.

Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack after the Poweplay.

Kyle Jamieson comes into the attack.

Harry Brook walks in at number 4.

Jacob Bethell walks in at number 3.

Jacob Duffy will share the attack.

Done with the pre-match formalities. All set now for the action to commence. Out come the dynamic England's opening duo in Phil Salt and Jos Buttler. It will be Matt Henry to begin with the ball for New Zealand. Let's play...

A traditional ceremony welcomes both sides, and the match officials along with the players line up for the national anthems. It will be England's anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand. Live action is coming shortly.

Harry Brook, the England skipper, says that they would have had a bowl as well. Adds that they have some stats that said it's 50-50 either way. Mentions that T20 is their main focus with the World Cup coming up in a few months. Shares that they always name their team early to give players a bit of freedom and to let them prepare for the game.

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand skipper, wins the toss and opts to bowl. Says that there is a bit of grass on the surface, but they have to be smart with the wind. Adds that he expects the wicket to play pretty well, but they would like to see if there is something early on. Opines that they were close in the Australia series and played good cricket. Shares that England bat deep and they will try to take wickets. Ends by adding that they have to be smart with the ball and make them hit to the big side as much as possible.

Landmark alert - English skipper, Harry Brook will be playing his 50th T20I in English colours.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

Toss - New Zealand have won the toss and opted to BOWL.

With both teams stacked with talent and hungry for a winning start, this promises to be a thrilling opening clash. So, who will strike first, the visitors or the Black Caps on home soil? Toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned!

New Zealand, on the other hand, welcomes back Mitchell Santner as captain after recovering from injury. Their batting revolves around Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, and Daryl Mitchell, all capable of turning a game on its head. The all-round depth is further boosted by Michael Bracewell and Jimmy Neesham, while the bowling attack, led by Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, is well-supported by Kyle Jamieson and Zak Foulkes. 

England will be led by Harry Brook, returning to the side after sitting out the Ireland series. The top order features firepower with Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, and Tom Banton. The bowling unit is packed with pace and spin options, including Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Luke Wood, and Sonny Baker. Versatile all-rounders Liam Dawson and Sam Curran add balance, while the likes of Zak Crawley, Jamie Overton, and Rehan Ahmed are exciting prospects ready to make their mark. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first T20I in the three-match series between New Zealand and England, from the iconic Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand will be eager to bounce back after a recent series defeat to Australia, while England arrives with momentum, having drawn their series against South Africa and clinched a win over Ireland. Expect fireworks from both sides.

…MATCHDAY…

When cricket’s grand stage calls from faraway lands, there is no sterner measure of character than taking on rivals on their home turf. England’s white-ball squad now sets forth on a New Zealand expedition, a white-ball series destined to reveal the resilient and reward the bold. The journey begins with three T20Is, followed by as many ODIs, the opening duels set in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city and the proud heart of Canterbury cricket. Celebrated as the Garden City, with Hagley Park at its core and the Southern Alps standing sentinel beyond, Christchurch offers an enchanting yet testing stage where skill and temperament must walk hand in hand. Though England’s fortunes in the longer white-ball format have wavered, their T20 form remains formidable. With just one series loss in their last seven bilateral series, they arrive fresh from an impressive Irish tour, guided by the youthful leadership of Harry Brook. Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, England’s standout performers in 2025 in this format, particularly, carry both form and fire into these southern conditions. Joining them is Jordan Cox, rewarded for his prolific run in The Hundred, alongside the explosive Tom Banton, forming a lineup rich in flair. There’s ample experience within England’s ranks, with the seasoned Sam Curran and Liam Dawson providing stability and craft, seamlessly complementing the youthful exuberance of emerging talents like Jacob Bethell. The youngster will be eager to leave a lasting impression and strengthen his credentials ahead of the upcoming Ashes. In the bowling department, England enjoy a wealth of options with a strong spin trio. Luke Wood and Brydon Carse stand out as key figures in pace, while the promising Sonny Baker adds freshness to the attack. After an underwhelming start to his T20I career, Baker will be keen to make this series his statement of intent. But ritually, as they do, England have already announced their playing XI in advance and the ones missing out are Rehan, Baker, Overton, and Crawley. In the New Zealand camp, the spotlight shines on the returning Rachin Ravindra, though the hosts continue to grapple with the absence of several senior players through injury. Even so, the squad carries a balanced look and remains every bit as formidable. Mitchell Santner takes the reins, with Michael Bracewell partnering him in the spin unit, while the pace attack boasts the quartet of Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes. Dangerous and unpredictable in home conditions. Among the batters, Tim Robinson stands out as one to watch. Still early in his international journey, the young right-hander has already made headlines with a century against Australia and now looks ready to build on that promise. The rest of the group remains largely the same. The overarching strategy for both sides pivots on aggressive intent and the utility of multi-skilled players, an approach perfectly calibrated for the compact boundaries and swift wickets that typify New Zealand's cricketing landscape. This is far more than just a bilateral clash, as it serves as a critical barometer for both teams, offering a valuable opportunity to test skills, form, and consistency ahead of the next year’s major T20 World Cup. These two cricketing nations have a longstanding history of producing fiercely contested and engaging fixtures. Though the Kiwis trail 10-16 in their overall head-to-head record and 4-8 in home conditions, they remain a formidable force on their own soil. This also marks England’s first T20I tour to New Zealand since 2019, a series that culminated in an unforgettable Super Over in Auckland, a reminder of just how fine the margins can be when these two sides collide. This will be just the second T20I encounter between the two sides at Hagley Oval, where New Zealand will look to even the ledger after their defeat to England in 2019. Yet for all their dominance at home, England’s form on foreign soil has been far from flawless, having lost three of their last five T20I series away, something they’ll be eager to set right. Spring in New Zealand comes with its own dual personality. The sun burns bright through the mornings and afternoons, leaving jumpers slung casually around waists, but once twilight creeps in, the temperature drops without warning, and layers become a lifeline. At Hagley Oval, the wind sweeps in with an edge that spares no one. Under the lights, as hands retreat into pockets and breath turns visible, both players and spectators will be reminded that these night T20Is belong to the bold, and of course, well wrapped. But as they say, 'He who can weather the storm, earns the sunrise'. So, buckle up, as this has all the ingredients for a thrilling and a spicy white-ball series.