England produced a dominating display to defeat New Zealand by 76 runs in the 4th T20I match played at McLean Park, Napier on Friday.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee won the toss and decided to field first. It was an impressive start for the hosts as they did not give runs while Mitchell Santer took the wicket of Jonny Bairstow. Tom Banton looked impressive with his stroke play and made batting look easy. At the end of 6 overs, England were 48 for 1.
After the power play overs, Santer got his 2nd wicket by dismissing Tom Banton for a quickfire 31 off 20 balls. Banton and Malan added 42 runs for the 2nd wicket. Eoin Morgan came to the crease and just played with positive intent not allowing New Zealand bowlers to settle.
Malan continued his impressive form in the series and made the batting look easy. Morgan smashed the New Zealand bowlers to all parts of the ground. Malan reached his fifty off 31 balls while Morgan also completed the milestone in just 21 balls. It was sublime display of batting by both these England batsmen. Malan smashed 28 runs off Sodhi’s over in 17th over and continued pile on the misery on New Zealand bowlers and scored his maiden T20I century off 48 balls.
In the final over, Eoin Morgan was dismissed for a brilliant 91 off 41 balls with 7 fours and 7 sixes. Morgan and Malan added 182 runs for the 3rd wicket. England posted a massive total of 241 for 3 in 20 overs.
Chasing a massive target of 242 runs to win, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro got the team off to a flying start putting pressure on England bowlers. As things looked good for the hosts, Tom Curran provided the breakthrough for England dismissing Guptill for a quickfire 27 off 14 balls. Chris Jordan got the wicket of Tim Seifert to help New Zealand score 61 for 2 at the end of first 6 overs.
Matt Parkison got wickets of Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme of successive deliveries to leave New Zealand in big trouble at 70 for 4. England kept picking wickets at regular intervals. New Zealand captain Tim Southee hit some lusty blows scoring 39 off 15 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes. Parkinson got his 4th wicket dismissing Southee. Southee and Santer added 49 runs for the 7th wicket.
Chris Jordan bowled Trent Boult to end New Zealand innings. England bowled out New Zealand for 165.
England 241 for 3 in 20 overs ( David Malan 103*, Eoin Morgan 91, Mitchell Santer 2/32) beat New Zealand 165 in 16.5 overs ( Tim Southee 39, Colin Munro 30, Parkinson 4/47, Chris Jordan 2/24) by 76 runs.
England level the 5 match T20I series at 2-2. The final and deciding T20I match would be played at Eden Park, Auckland on 10th November.
