NZ vs ENG: 4th T20I – Malan smashes England’s fastest T20I ton as visitors level series
England batsman Dawid Malan recorded the fastest T20I hundred (48 balls) for England in the 4th T20I against New Zealand at Napier. In doing so, Malan went past teammate Alex Hales who previously held the record (60 balls). Malan is also the second Englishman to have notched up a century in the shortest format.
Being put to bat first on a belter of a wicket, England lost the dangerous Jonny Bairstow early on. However, opener Tom Banton once again showed glimpses of his talent with a 20-ball 31 that saw him score 17 in the last Powerplay over. Mitchell Santner removed both the openers but with Malan accompanying captain Eoin Morgan, the mayhem was set to begin.
? Our highest IT20 total ever (241)
? Our highest IT20 partnership (182)
? Our fastest IT20 century (103* from 51 balls)Incredible.
Scorecard: https://t.co/YMSCqqTiqX#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/aT0vmKdUJb
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 8, 2019
Both left-handers took the attack to the Kiwi bowlers, going after every delivery and dealing only in boundaries. Morgan fell in the final over of the England innings but the southpaw duo had already racked up a number of records by then.
Malan, who was coming off a blazing half-century in the 3rd T20I, continued his prolific form. He brought up his hundred in 48 balls and finished the innings unbeaten on 103 (51 balls, 9 fours, 6 sixes). Morgan joined the fun, notching his fastest fifty in T20I cricket (21 balls). Both batsmen also stitched England’s highest partnership for any wicket (182 runs). Their record-breaking partnership ensured England finished with their highest total – 241/3.
Parkinson bamboozles the hosts
Chasing a massive score down, the Kiwis got off to a brilliant start, courtesy of their openers. Guptill continued his good form while Munro also got some runs under his belt. With 54 runs in only 4.2 overs, it seemed that New Zealand would pull off an all-time great heist.
But the wheels quickly came off as Guptill was dismissed on 27 by Tom Curran. Seifert soon followed him back to the pavilion as Chris Jordan got into the act. Leg-spinner Matthew Parkinson then had his most memorable outing in international cricket. He completely ran through the New Zealand batting order, making a mockery of their chase. He got the scalps of Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee to his name, to register career-best figures of 4-47.
Chris Jordan finally dismissed Trent Boult, as the Kiwis were dismissed for 165, losing the contest by 76 runs. With the result, England levelled the series at 2-2. The series decider will take place in Auckland on 10th November.
Brief scores: England 241 for 3 (Malan 103*, Morgan 91) beat New Zealand 165 (Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47)
