New Zealand 52-1 (5.2 overs) beat England 172-6 (20 overs) by 9 runs (Duckworth/Lewis)
Controversy surrounds England's opening game in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand. Thunderstorms eventually took the players off in the fifth over of the New Zealand run chase. Play never resumed which meant that New Zealand won by 9 runs using the Duckworth/Lewis method despite only 5.2 overs being bowled. Broad felt that the umpires should have taken his team off three or four balls earlier as lightning strikes in the distance were beginning to disrupt play. Despite looking unsafe to play in these conditions, the umpires let play continue until they were forced off by the driving rain. England had earlier scored a competitive 172-6 from their 20 overs and had a strong chance of defending it. However, as only five overs are needed to determine a result in T20, New Zealand profited from a fast start to win the match. Controversial stuff but England will now face Sri Lanka in their next match in desperate need of a win.
My Opinion:
That was all very farcical and it left a bad taste in the mouth. England actually batted reasonably well and set a decent target to defend for themselves. Moeen, Lumb and Buttler kept the runs ticking whilst a late bash from both Bopara and Bresnan took England up to 172-6. My hopes of England had been restored after that and I felt they could bowl out the match to take victory. However, the weather didn't look too good in the distance and lightning strikes became ever more prevalent. I found it amazing that the umpires kept the players out there for as long as they did as it was clearly unsafe to play in those conditions. Any sign of lightning on a golf course and everyone is soon off to the clubhouse. Now the first six overs of a T20 match are powerplay overs and are easier to score more runs off. New Zealand started quickly and made it to 52-1 after 5.2 overs before coming off. In comparison, England were 51-1 after 5.2 overs, 1 run behind New Zealand. So, I really can't get my head around why you can justify using the Duckworth/Lewis method in a T20 match where it only takes one over to change the game. Hugely frustrating as I don't see why play couldn't just have resumed the next day. Very strange!! All in all it means England are cruelly defeated in the first game and will need some big performances against the likes of Sri Lanka and South Africa if they are to progress in the semi-finals.
Match Guide: Key Moments
New Zealand win the toss and elect to bowl first.
England Innings
(0.3) 1-1, Hales 0 (2), caught Anderson, Mills.
(5) 48-1, Lumb 15*, Moeen 29*.
(5.1) 50-1, Lumb 16*, Moeen 30*.
(5.2) 51-1, 50 partnership between Lumb 16* and Moeen 30* off 29 balls.
(7.5) 73-2, Moeen 36 (23), 6 fours and 1 six, caught Mclenaghan, Anderson.
(8.4) 76-3, Lumb 33 (24), 4 fours and 1 six, caught Anderson, Mclenaghan.
(10) 84-3, Morgan 7*, Buttler 4*.
(11.3) 101-3, Morgan 12*, Buttler 13*.
(12.2) 103-4, Morgan 12 (15), 1 four, caught B. McCullum, Southee.
(15) 126-4, Buttler 32*, Bopara 4*.
(15.4) 129-5, Buttler 32 (23), 4 fours, bowled by Anderson.
(17.4) 148-6, Jordan 8 (6), 1 six, caught Southee, N. McCullum.
(18.2) 150-6, Bopara 17*, Bresnan 2*.
(20) 172-6, Bopara 24*(19), 1 six and Bresnan 17*(8), 2 fours and 1 six.
Batsman of the Innings: Moeen 36 (23)
Bowler of the Innings: Anderson 2-32
New Zealand Innings:
(3) 29-1, Guptill 11 (9), 2 fours, caught Jordan, Dernbach.
(5) 47-1, Williamson 19*, B. McCullum 16*.
(5.1) 51-1, Williamson 23*, B. McCullum 16*. Rain stops play.
(5.2) Play resumes 52-1, Williamson 24*(17), 4 fours, B. McCullum 16*(6), 1 four and 2 sixes. Rain ends play. New Zealand win by 9 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method).
Batsman of the Innings: Williamson 24*(17)
Bowler of the Innings: Dernbach 1-13
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