England are losing the race to join Australia in the T20 tri-series final after being defeated by New Zealand, who secured their first points of the series as England remain rooted to the foot of the table after their third successive loss.
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England’s bowlers were made to toil as the home side reached 196/5 with Martin Guptill smashing 65 and Kane Williamson 72. The tourists had threatened to cause an upset as Alex Hales thrilled at the top and Malan carried the momentum forward, but the chase derailed as England reached 184/9 to give New Zealand a 12-run victory.
Malan’s 40-ball 59 – his second half-century of the tournament, which included six fours and two sixes – was not enough to save the tourists. He departed soon after raising his bat – caught by Trent Boult off the bowling of Santner.
England were still very much in the game, but with just four wickets left New Zealand knew a few breakthroughs could diminish all hopes of a late-innings onslaught. Boult delivered; two brilliant yorkers removed Jordan and Plunkett in the space of two balls, which left too much for England’s tail to do.
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The next match in the T20 tri-series will be played between New Zealand and Australia on Friday.
