Jos Buttler will be hoping for a positive result tonight against New Zealand in their first T20, to give himself and his side an opportunity to earn selection into England’s World Cup squad.
Tahuhu produces one that explodes from length and hits Wyatt on his arm; Izzy Gaze took it easily at third man. In this article, we will discuss about England Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline.
The first Test
On 10 January 1930 in Christchurch, England and New Zealand first met for their inaugural Test match – often linked with another famous one that took place later that day in Bridgetown, Barbados featuring England – but its own unique character should be appreciated and celebrated.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, producing an impressive 339-3 scoreline. Stewie Dempster made headlines for scoring an unbeaten century on debut; only three New Zealand players have achieved such feat before him (three being Stewie Dempster himself, who became only third). Unfortunately for Dempster however, Ted Badcock struck just before stumps took place to end his innings.
England was reduced to 195 for 6, with Joe Root making just 18 runs in their second innings. Although John Wright made an excellent 66 in their second innings and everyone contributed positively, damage had already been done.
England suffered an embarrassing defeat against New Zealand on the fourth day, losing three wickets quickly to seal an embarrassing loss at home for 22 consecutive wins since 1979.
After losing, New Zealand won the next two Tests and were ultimately defeated in four matches by Tim Southee’s Black Caps in a four-match series win. It marked Southee’s debut Test captaincy.
Tonight sees the Black Caps take to Mount Maunganui for their inaugural T20 match against England, starting off a five-match T20I series and three one-day internationals that could pave the way to an appearance at this summer’s World Cup in England and Wales. Jos Buttler will hope his side can use tonight’s encounter as an opportunity to showcase themselves ahead of their campaign in England and Wales.
England will no doubt be alarmed at their poor net run rate in T20Is and hope to avoid further embarrassment by collecting as many points from remaining matches as possible. But still they remain far off from reclaiming their top ranking among T20I teams.
The second Test
New Zealand was late to adopt the professional system, yet has seen great success thanks to it. They are known for their fearless cricket style and have produced world-class players such as Brendon McCullum – who currently holds records for both fastest Test hundred (off 54 balls) and double century in a losing cause – and Kane Williamson who stands as one of the premier batsmen today.
The Black Caps have not won an England series since 1991 and this task was always going to be daunting. Yet they made sure not to lose focus in key moments of this match, with bowlers providing disciplined performances behind their batsmen.
England were not as formidable without Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant, yet still kept themselves competitive thanks to some brilliant batting from Foakes (86), Jack Leach’s first delivery as Test captain (71) and an unexpected hoodoo call by Jack Leach on his maiden delivery (78) in which they both provided opportunities. With two wickets still to take in their favour England still had the chance of victory!
For the second Test, selectors are unlikely to make many alterations; their aim should be to find an ensemble squad capable of competing effectively at the 2027 World Cup and winning its series opener in Dunedin.
New Zealand will look to build upon their performance from the opening Test and continue their run of dominating South African bowlers over successive innings. Kane Williamson was in commanding form again and should lead from the front in this match of great significance for both sides.
Ben Stead, 24, has been added to New Zealand’s second Test squad following an impressive debut against MCC. Stead was selected due to his genuine pace and the bounce he provided during red ball cricket – always considered assets when selecting red ball players for red ball cricket matches. Stead possesses immense potential as a Test bowler; therefore he will prove invaluable addition to any squad he joins.
The third Test
After losing in the second Test, England appeared poised for a series draw until Neil Wagner took an incredible wicket in the last over of play that brought New Zealand within two runs of making history – it marked an iconic moment that cemented New Zealand as a credible Test cricket nation worthy of competing with older and more traditional nations like England and India.
After losing three wickets for 48 runs due to rain in an all-day game, England were in trouble after losing three wickets for just 32 runs, yet managed to make up ground thanks to centuries from openers Donnelly and Page who shared an unbroken 273-run partnership – one of four highest unbroken partnerships for their nation since 2008. As such, New Zealand maintained their streak against England since 2008 without being defeated at home in any Test series they played in England.
On the penultimate ball of the final session, Jack Leach bowled a full delivery between middle and off that Wagner hit over midwicket to be caught by Jonny Bairstow for England – making sure that this series ended even at 1-1 and marking an important moment in New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s takeover as white-ball team leader after Kevin Pietersen left for Australia last summer. It was an exquisite catch by Bairstow that allowed England to avoid last man in and ensured this series ended level at 1-1! It also marked an important momentous momentous momentous moment as New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum took over from Kevin Pietersen after taking charge as white-ball team captain since summer 2017. It marked an important momentous momentous moment for McCullum since taking charge as white-ball captain at home after Kevin Pietersen left as captain before Kevin Pietersen left Australia last summer after Pietersen left them.
Both teams were desperate to qualify for the World Cup tournament set to start in March 2021, with England hoping that victory in this Test would boost their ranking points while New Zealand were looking for victory as they aimed to guarantee their place.
Jones and Sciver-Brunt added another 84 runs to bring England to 278-5, seemingly sealing their fate as hosts. But Melie Kerr made her mark as an opener with an exquisite googly that took Dunkley by surprise before carrying to Izzy Gaze at slip for an excellent catch – forcing a draw out of England by forcing a tie with only Alice Capsey and Charlie Dean remaining –
The fourth Test
The fourth Test took place from February 23 to 25 at Eden Park in Auckland. England secured victory, winning 1-0 and taking control of a 2-1 series victory. New Zealand played their inaugural day/night Test ever at this new floodlight stadium venue – both teams hoping to claim their respective first ever series victories against each other.
England were put into bat first and quickly lost two wickets quickly to start off their innings, starting with Jos Buttler being caught off Tahuhu by Jess Kerr for seven. Alex Hartley edged to second slip Izzy Gaze for an easy catch, followed by Jos Buttler being caught off Tahuhu by Jess Kerr off Tahuhu for seven.
Ben Duckett made 33 and had an edge go straight to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell as he attempted to clip Wagner through the off side, leading to him getting caught out at third slip for 33. Ben Duckett then quickly followed him out for 34, sending an edge straight back down into Tom Blundell’s hands. However, both wickets had come from seam bowlers; thus providing New Zealand a vital early advantage. However, Ben Duckett soon followed suit and was out shortly thereafter after trying to clip Wagner through off side and got caught at third slip.
Sciver-Brunt and Jones then added 59 for the sixth wicket, and it seemed England might reach a respectable total. Unfortunately, both Sciver-Brunt and Jones were dismissed within consecutive overs by Wagner; Jones was unable to utilize his brilliant footwork when trying to play off him and was caught by Izzy Gaze at short third man.
Sciver-Brunt was overcome by the speed of the ball as she attempted to hook him and was caught by Blundell at gully for 42. Soon thereafter, Ravindra produced an extraordinary drive that resulted in six runs, effectively ending England’s innings.
New Zealand and England quickly switched places after lunch, and New Zealand set about their run chase with determination, knowing victory could give them their first series win against England since 2008. They received early help from Jess Kerr’s early breakthroughs from the new ball – getting one off length to Wyatt to take her edge, before picking off Bouchier as she attempted to glide towards third man.
Also Read:
