CHRISTCHURCH: England delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The first T20I was abandoned after the first innings due to what seemed like never-ending rain. However, in the second game, the visitors put up brilliant performances with the bat and ball to hand the hosts a 65-run loss.

New Zealand’s decision to chase backfired as the Kiwi bowlers could not contain the opposition batters. While England suffered an early blow inside the powerplay, with Jos Buttler being dismissed cheaply for a three-ball four, opener Phil Salt and middle-order batter Harry Brook unleashed a storm as the visitors got to a big total of 236/4.

Salt was involved in a 44-run partnership with Jacob Bethell

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