Christchurch, Oct 18, 2025

Persistent rain denied fans an exciting finish as the opening T20 International between New Zealand and England was abandoned at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.

England, having posted 153 for six in their 20 overs, never got the chance to defend their total as the rain intensified before New Zealand’s innings could begin, leaving the series finely poised with just two matches to decide the outcome.

After being sent in to bat, England’s top order struggled to find rhythm on a sluggish pitch that offered grip and variable bounce. The visitors slipped to 81 for five in the 12th over when captain Jos Buttler, who had been anchoring the innings, was caught in the deep for 29. Despite some promising starts from the likes of Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook, Ne

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