NZ vs ENG: 5th T20I – Eden Park’s throwback Sunday!

A World Cup final is cricket’s single most important match across formats. On 14th July 2019, we witnessed a duel for ages as England and New Zealand fought one of the most exciting ODIs of all time. On Sunday, 10th November, it was deja vu for both the sides as their T20I series final went the same way. After series set at 2-2, the final at Eden Park, Auckland included some breathtaking hitting and another Super Over.

The parallels

Just like the World Cup final, New Zealand batted first. At Auckland, the Blackcaps adopted an ultra-aggressive approach in the rain-curtailed 11-over match. Martin Guptill’s 50 from 20 balls, Colin Munro’s knock of 46 from 19 balls and Tim Seifert’s blinding 39 from 16 deliveries saw the home side post 146/5 in their 11 overs.

England, who had to score at a required run rate of 13.36, went hammer and tongs from the start itself. Johnny Bairstow lighted up the day with his power-packed knock of 47 from 18 balls. Eoin Morgan, Sam Curran and Tom Curran chipped in with flashes of audacious strokes. In the end, ODI World Champions needed 16 from the last over. In the World Cup final, they needed 15.

Anyone else feel a bit weird?! #NZvENG

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 10, 2019

While it was Ben Stokes who had bludgeoned two sixes in final over then, it was Chris Jordan who smashed 12 off three balls to tie the game at Auckland. As luck would have it, England almost scored the same amount of runs in the Super Over of this match as they had in the World Cup final. Extra run on the last ball meant, New Zealand had to track down 18 runs rather 17 to which they had come agonisingly close four months ago.

This time England did not have Jofra Archer.

Taxi ? Take me to the ground

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) November 10, 2019

But they had another English player who represents Sussex and born in Barbados playing for them – Jordan. Archer’s mentor conceded only eight runs in the Super Over thus securing a clear victory for England over New Zealand, unlike the July encounter. England ended up winning the five-match series 3-2.

Hands up if you love Super Overs! ?‍♂️? pic.twitter.com/p38ThGrlPj

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 10, 2019