Devine and Halliday’s fifties took New Zealand from 38 for 3 to 227 before their bowlers bundled out Bangladesh

Shashank Kishore10-Oct-2025

Sophie Devine took 65 balls to hit her first boundary•AFP/Getty Images

The less-experienced teams have often been challenged to sustain levels of dominance over longer periods at this World Cup. Bangladesh alone have found themselves in this situation three times. While they prevailed over Pakistan in their opening game, they haven’t been able to match England or New Zealand’s might.On Friday, Bangladesh’s moment of reckoning was when they had woven a web around New Zealand’s top order. Rabeya Khan, the legspinner, was getting them to rip and fizz off the Guwahati pitch. At 38 for 3, the moment was theirs to seize. They couldn’t. Eventually, they conceded 227 for 9, which proved to be 100 too many, as New Zealand got off the mark after losses to Australia and South Africa.Like she had done in those two games, Sophie Devine stood like a rock. And batted without the typical flair or enterprise she is known to bring. She was willing to dig in, play patiently, look ugly, and fight the conditions – both in terms of the heat and the surface – to eke out a half-century that she would consider perhaps far more valuable than the century she got against Australia in a losing cause just last week in Indore.If Devine’s half-century was the pillar, Brooke Halliday’s was the icing on the cake for the inventiveness. Like she briefly did against South Africa, Halliday negated the spin threat by sweeping the bowlers off their lengths. This isn’t to say she was over-aggressive at all times; she was measured to begin with and took calculated risks as her partnership with Devine progressed.They put on 112, and it took them 166 balls. But for much of that duration, they didn’t show the desperation to break free. Halliday top-scored with 69 before falling to trigger another mini-wobble. Her attempt to play a slog sweep led to a top-edge pouched by Nigar Sultana, and Devine was out trying to hack one over cow corner, in the same over where she had hit offspinner Nishita Akter for two sixes back-to-back.Brooke Halliday played the sweep to good effect•ICC/Getty Images

Fortunately, New Zealand were helped by late cameos from Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu and Isabella Gaze, who combined to add 49 to help give the innings a late lift. New Zealand pocketed 74 off the last ten overs to have momentum with them at the halfway mark.Any chance Bangladesh had to take the game head-on was in the powerplay. But their top order looked diffident, with their inadequacies against the swing and seam of Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair exposed. They hardly played an aggressive shot in the first ten overs, and quickly found themselves 22 for 3. This included the wicket of Sobhana Mostary. The half-centurion from their previous game against England was out for 2, to a leading edge to short third off Jess Kerr.If Bangladesh went spin, New Zealand continued to frontload with pace. After a thoroughly impressive first spell from Jess Kerr and Mair, Lea Tahuhu showed she has still got her bag of tricks, profiting not as much from raw pace but subtle changes in length and seam movement. Bowling the hard length, she had Sumaiya Akter chipping one to cover, and then had Shorna Akter lbw with a superb nip-backer. At 33 for 6, it was only a matter of time before Bangladesh folded.Fahima Khatun and Rabeya then resisted to add 44 for the eighth wicket to prolong New Zealand’s wait. Fahima’s early reprieve, when Gaze put down a regulation chance, helped her extend her stay. She was eventually the last batter out for 34 after stonewalling her way through 80 deliveries, with Bangladesh bowled out for 127 in 39.5 overs.Despite the win, New Zealand would reflect on their top-order woes that they would want to fix heading to Colombo. Suzie Bates did score 29 off 33 on Friday, her first runs in the World Cup, but Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer were once again not able to force the pace in the powerplay. For now, Devine seems to be raising the bar with every innings, but with more trial by spin to come, they will do well to have the top order contributing more.

Chelsea take on Burnley this weekend as Enzo Maresca looks to spearhead a possible Premier League title challenge, with the Blues lying just six points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Chelsea travel to Turf Moor on Saturday looking to maintain their impressive form against the top flight newcomers.

The Blues currently sit third in the Premier League table, having enjoyed an unbeaten run of four games in all competitions before the international break. Despite some criticism, perhaps overblown at times, Chelsea are in pretty good stead right now, having lost just three times in their 12 outings.

The visitors will be strong favourites against a Burnley side languishing in 17th, with the Clarets enduring four defeats in their last six league games. They haven’t even kept a clean sheet in their previous three, and even more concerning for Scott Parker’s side, Burnley now have the third-worst defence in the division this campaign with 22 goals conceded in 11 matches.

However, Chelsea’s title challenge has been hampered by injuries, particularly to their talismanic forward Cole Palmer.

Palmer has been plagued by a niggling groin issue which even caused him problems at the Club World Cup, limiting him to just four appearances in all competitions this season. Maresca confirmed Palmer would miss another six weeks before the 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest last month, though Chelsea are hoping the England international will be back from injury to face Arsenal on November 30 (Simon Phillips).

Injuries and absentees have been a key theme of their campaign so far, with Palmer, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Roméo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong all missing games at various points so far.

This has prompted Maresca to make the most squad rotations of any Premier League manager so far this season with 93, and it could well be a symptom of their extensive fixture schedule last campaign.

Their current injury list includes Palmer, Essugo, Colwill, Badiashile, Lavia and Neto, with Fernandez ruling himself out of Argentina duty as well.

The latter, who has dazzled since Maresca’s arrival as a key linchpin of Chelsea’s midfield, has now become a crucial player for the west Londoners.

Fernandez is attracting interest from Real Madrid as a result, according to some reports, and supporters have been waiting for an update when it comes to his condition.

Chelsea given Enzo Fernández update ahead of Burnley

According to journalist Simon Phillips, the situation is fairly positive.

While Fernandez has been struggling with knee pain, it is believed that the 24-year-old is expected to be available for Chelsea’s trip to Lancashire this weekend in what is a big boost for Maresca’s side.

Fernandez has emerged as a ‘leader’ at Chelsea who has ‘a bit of everything’, as per Sky pundit Micah Richards, and he’s poised to play a crucial role in Chelsea’s hunt for major silverware.

With Barcelona in the Champions League just days after Burnley and Arsenal the weekend after, having Fernandez fit and firing will be absolutely pivotal.

The midfielder has been deployed in an attacking position when Chelsea are in possession, but drops back alongside Moises Caicedo to defend without the ball, creating a hybrid role that has seriously unlocked Fernandez’s true potential after initially failing to justify his £107 million price tag.

Remarkably, Fernandez is the only player at Chelsea to have 20 direct goal contributions in 2025, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists, with Maresca describing him as an ‘example’ to the team.

Mikel Merino has shared his opinion on Moises Caicedo's red card offence in Arsenal's 1-1 draw away at Chelsea on Sunday. The Spaniard slammed Caicedo for what he felt was a "horrible challenge". Head referee Anthony Taylor originally gave the Ecuadorian a yellow card, but after being asked to review his decision by the VAR, he sent Caicedo off in the 38th minute.

Taylor sends off Caicedo after VAR intervention

Caicedo's challenge on Merino, which saw him catch the Arsenal star's ankle after flying in studs up, brought on a lengthy delay after the 34th minute. Taylor brandished the yellow card after Caicedo was restored to his feet, before instantly being beckoned over to the pitchside monitor. The 47-year-old referee quickly overturned the call, and explaining his decision to the Stamford Bridge crowd, he said: "After review, Chelsea 25, makes a challenge with excessive force and endangers the safety of the opponent, therefore my final decision is red card."

After Chelsea took the lead in the 46th minute through a Trevoh Chalobah header, Merino levelled the scores as he outjumped Malo Gusto at the back post to power home a header of his own just before the hour mark. 

Speaking after the game, Merino shared that despite the initial decision and lengthy delay, he knew Caicedo's tackle was worthy of a red. The makeshift striker also revealed that he did not speak to his opponent following the game. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMerino: 'It was a horrible challenge'

Speaking to following the top of the table clash, Merino said: "I felt my ankle go all the way but luckily I have very mobile ankles and body. I knew it was a horrible challenge and it was going to be a red card."

When asked if he had spoken to Caicedo, he simply replied: "No. Nothing."

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was also asked about the red card tackle, and defended his player while pointing to an incident when the Blues faced Tottenham earlier in the season that saw Rodrigo Bentancur escape a sending off. 

"I think he red card is the red card. I struggle to understand the different ways to judge," Maresca said on Sky Sports. "What about Bentancur to Reece? Why is one a red card and one isn't? I think it's a red card tonight, it's clear. Why the difference? Is what it is. Moises is always the same way. Top player for us. The desire from him is to try and win the game."

Did Taylor 're-referee' with the assistance of VAR?

Sky Sports pundit Daniel Sturridge took a different view during half time. The former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea striker criticised the use of technology, suggesting Taylor had "re-refereed" the decision, after initially deeming it a bookable offence in real time. 

Sturridge said: "When you see it slowed down, it looks nasty. Initially the referee makes a decision to give him a yellow card. And they've re-reffed it.

"When you look at the challenge slowed down, it makes the referee's mind up for him. When you go to the screen and see that slowed down, that's a red." 

Commentator Alan Smith made similar comments in real-time, saying: "They're having a long look at it. He's come in at some speed and some force. 

"Well this could be the crucial moment in this contest. It's important they show it at full speed.

"He missed the ball by a split second, but he comes at it with some force, and his straight leg is what they are usually concerned about. He's going to be fortunate if he stays on the pitch here."

Former Chelsea winger and BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Pat Nevin said: "We thought he had got away with one there – but he was out of control, the ball was miles away and the challenge was awful. Something like that could break your ankle."

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Getty Images SportWill Chelsea's ill-discipline cost them ground in the title race?

Caicedo's red card was the seventh dismissal of the 2025-26 campaign for Chelsea, including Maresca's sending off in the raucous celebrations during their 2-1 win over Liverpool in October. 

The Blues have now taken just one point in three Premier League games where one of their players has been dismissed. Chelsea fell to a 2-1 away defeat against Manchester United in September after Robert Sanchez was sent off, while Chalobah's dismissal prompted a stunning Brighton comeback in their 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. 

If Maresca's side are to keep pace with Arsenal, they will need to have their best players on the pitch and available, especially during such a packed schedule of games over Christmas. Pending an appeal, Caicedo will have to serve a three-match ban, and while Chelsea were able to circumnavigate his absence in a febrile second half, his ongoing absence could prove to be a real setback for this burgeoning team.

Juan Soto would like to see Pete Alonso back in a Mets uniform next season.

Speaking with reporters at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas, Soto addressed the fact that Alonso is hitting free agency this offseason after opting out of a one-year, $24 million contract option with the Mets.

“I hope nothing but the best and I’m excited to see where he’s going to end up,” Soto said [via the Mike Puma]. “He’s one of the best power hitters in this generation. I really enjoyed my moment with him in a Mets uniform and I hope we can have more times to come.

“We can have fun together.”

Soto and Alonso did indeed have fun in the lineup in their first season together in New York. Soto shook off a slow start to the 2025 campaign and finished the year batting .263/.396/.525 with 43 homers, 105 RBIs and a career-high 38 stolen bases.

Alonso played all 162 games for a second straight year and batted .272/.347/.524 with a career-high 41 doubles and 38 home runs. He ranked in the top five percent of all MLB hitters in average exit velocity, barrel percentage and hard-hit percentage.

Alonso was also a free agent last offseason. When he didn’t find the long-term contract he was looking for on the open market, he signed a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the Mets with the aim to perform well, opt out of ‘25 and hit free agency again. One year later, MLB Trade Rumors predicts he’ll sign a four-year contract worth $110 million this offseason.

RELATED: Pete Alonso Destinations: Best Landing Spots for Mets Star in Free Agency

The Mets and their $342 million payroll missed out on a playoff berth by one game this past season thanks in large part to an eight-game losing streak in September. Soto is looking to right that wrong in 2026, and he’s hoping Alonso will be back in the heart of the Mets’ order along with him.

Zohran Mamdani may have won New York City’s mayoral election on Nov. 4, but it was not for a lack of trying on the part of … his city’s athletes?

After every mayoral election, New York publishes the recipients of write-in votes—often a motley crew of celebrities and politicans past and present. This election’s field was no exception.

Here, per Spencer Gustafson of WPIX-TV and Gary Phillips of the , are the athletes who received at least one write-in vote to become mayor of New York in Jan. 2026. The list includes the living and the dead, as well as representatives of three different sports.

The list can be grouped with relative neatness into four brackets—the modern baseball figures (Alonso, Judge, Manfred, etc.), the faces of the Knicks’ 2020s renaissance (Brunson, Hart, Thibodeau, etc.), the football rookies (Dart, Skattebo, etc.), and the past greats (Anthony, Gehrig, etc.).

Mariners fans still grimacing at Judge’s MVP win over catcher Cal Raleigh must now ask themselves: would they trust the Big Dumper to run Seattle?

علق إسلام عيسى لاعب منتخب مصر الثاني، على تعادل المنتخب أمام الإمارات، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس العرب.

وتعادل منتخب مصر مع الإمارات بهدف لكل فريق في الجولة الثانية من دور مجموعات بطولة كأس العرب.

طالع | مروان حمدي: نستطيع الفوز على الأردن وحسم التأهل في كأس العرب

وقال إسلام عيسى في لقاء مع قناة “الكأس”: “ربنا أراد ألا نحصد الثلاث نقاط اليوم، قد يكون ربنا يؤخر الفوز لآخر مباراة، سنغلق صفحة اليوم وبداية من الغد سنركز على مواجهة الأردن لنفوز ونتأهل”.

وتابع: “المباراة الماضية أمام الكويت قدمنا أداءً عظيمًا، واستطعنا اليوم العودة في آخر المباراة، حيث كنا في منطقة جزاء الإمارات وأحرزنا التعادل”.

واختتم: “ندخل كل مباراة من أجل الفوز ولا يوجد حل أمامنا سوى المكسب أمام الأردن”.

MatériaMais NotíciasVer Resumo da matéria por IAPedro Daniel, novo CEO do Atlético, destacou em sua apresentação a necessidade de reconstruir a conexão e a sintonia com a torcida, abalada pelos resultados negativos recentes. Segundo ele, o clube busca incansavelmente novas estratégias para fortalecer esse vínculo e, nesse contexto, apresentou um novo projeto: o “Conselho da Massa”.Resumo supervisionado pelo jornalista!

Pedro Daniel, novo CEO do Atlético, destacou em sua apresentação a necessidade de reconstruir a conexão e a sintonia com a torcida, abalada pelos resultados negativos recentes. Segundo ele, o clube busca incansavelmente novas estratégias para fortalecer esse vínculo e, nesse contexto, apresentou um novo projeto: o “Conselho da Massa”.

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“Nós queremos nos aproximar mais da torcida, nós como gestão, ouvir mais da torcida, entender quais são as nossas necessidade. A gente precisa ouvir a torcida, é o nosso maior ativo, o clube vive por conta da torcida. “

➡️ Tudo sobre o Galo agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Atlético-MG

Conselho da Massa

Como uma das estratégias de aproximação com o torcedor, Pedro Daniel confirmou a criação do Conselho da Massa, para escutar e fortalecer o vínculo clube-torcida.

continua após a publicidade

“Vamos colocar em prática um “conselho da massa”, nós queremos que a torcida, que a massa esteja desse lado da mesa porque de fato ela faz parte do clube. Somos nove, quase dez milhões de torcedores, então a gente quer ouvir, esse é um dos pilares da gestão.

“Estamos em busca dessa aproximação com a massa, de fato entender quais são as necessidades, o que a gente está pecando, o que de fato a gente tem aqui que melhorar, é um ponto chave.”

continua após a publicidadeAtlético e Nike

O novo CEO também falou sobre o contrato com a Nike, nova fornecedora de materiais esportivos do clube e assunto de grande interesse da torcida. Destacou as ações entre Atlético e Nike e deixou em aberto sobre um possível manto da massa.

“Estamos discutindo com a Nike não só a questão de abastecimento, mas também sobre novos produtos com o alinhamento entre Nike e Atlético. Estamos discutindo as estratégias deles ao redor do mundo que deram certo e eles entendendo o nosso modelo, como que a massa gosta, qual a nossa linguagem.”

“Estamos discutindo e debatendo todas as pautas, se o manto da massa vai ou não existir. Estamos em fase final de debate e estou com uma expectativa bem grande.”

Tudo sobre

Atlético MineiroconselhoTorcida

Will India go with spin-heavy, seam-heavy or find a middle ground?

Karthik Krishnaswamy30-Sep-20252:05

Chopra: A chance for Rahul to ‘right the wrongs’

Barring last-minute injury or illness, this is almost certainly how India will line up in the first Test against West Indies: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, X, Y, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.Who X and Y are will mostly come down to conditions. Two days before the Test match, the Ahmedabad pitch wore a healthy cover of grass; while some of it may be shaved off by day one, this is still likely to be a surface with some help for the quicks, which would be a significant departure from the sharp turners that have by and large defined India’s home Tests over the last four years or so.This makes India’s selection tricky, because recent history may have to go out of the window. To make things more complicated, the presence of four allrounders in their squad – of whom Jadeja, Washington and Axar Patel bowl spin and Nitish Kumar Reddy seam – allows them to choose from a mindboggling number of combinations, most of which make cricketing sense in one way or another.Related

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Kuldeep, Axar or neither?The luxury of having a plethora of spin-bowling allrounders has allowed India to play three spinners almost by default in their home Tests. A surface tilted towards seam could prompt a shift to two spinners, who are likely to be Jadeja and Washington, who can both bat in the top seven and turn their stock ball in opposite directions.This would mean India playing neither Kuldeep Yadav nor Axar.If India do go with three spinners, Kuldeep is likely to get the nod, given the variety he adds to the attack with his left-arm wristspin – Axar and Jadeja both bowl left-arm orthodox – and the fact that he needs less help from the surface to be able to test both edges of the bat consistently. He showed this in Dharamsala last year, picking up a day-one five-for against England when India’s fingerspinners found little assistance from the surface, after their seamers had beaten the bat frequently but lucklessly with the new ball.With India already likely to bat solidly down to No. 8, Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability should outweigh any extra runs Axar may score.Axar, though, cannot be discounted for two reasons. One, Ahmedabad is his hometown, and the scene of three of his five Test-match five-fors (though they came on square turners in his debut series against England in 2021). Two, he has shown even in white-ball cricket that he is becoming a more rounded bowler, delivering with more overspin and pace variation than he used to in the past.Prasidh, Reddy, or both?Bumrah – unless India rest him, which they aren’t likely to in seam-friendly conditions – and Siraj are almost certain to play. Depending on how much grass remains at toss time, there’s a chance that India’s attack includes a third frontline quick in Prasidh Krishna.On Tuesday, Prasidh beat the bat consistently at the nets while getting through a solid bowling workload alongside Siraj and Reddy – Bumrah, Axar and Kuldeep, who have only just landed in India after the Asia Cup, did not bowl in the nets, though Gill, who also played that tournament, batted with the rest of the top order.Prasidh enjoys bowling at the Narendra Modi Stadium, particularly when India and his IPL franchise Gujarat Titans play on its red-soil pitches, which provide plenty of bounce. The pitch for the Test match is a red-soil strip. While Prasidh is yet to play a home Test, and has only played one first-class match at Motera, his white-ball record at the venue makes him a tempting option.He has nine wickets in three ODIs here – all against West Indies, for what it’s worth – at an average of 7.55, and more T20 wickets here (20 at an economy of 7.89) than anywhere else.The other seam option is the Reddy. The flexibility that Jadeja and Washington offer allows India to use Reddy in two ways. As X, his role would lean more towards batting, with either Prasidh or a third spinner taking the Y slot. As Y, he would be expected to shoulder the third seamer’s workload, with India picking a specialist batter in Devdutt Padikkal – or a fourth allrounder in Axar, which you cannot rule out in a team coached by Gautam Gambhir – as X.

West Ham United’s unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Now, the good news is that the Premier League champions were miles better than the Hammers, but the bad news is that they are still level on points with 18th-placed Leeds United.

Worse than that, though, at least in the immediate, is the fact that Nuno Espírito Santo is now going to be without Lucas Paqueta for the Hammers’ trip to Manchester United on Thursday night following his sending-off for dissent.

The Brazilian’s absence is undeniably a big problem, but Nuno might have a surprise solution in the shape of a particularly exciting prospect.

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Fortunately, there are only two first-team players out injured at the moment who will miss Thursday’s game, alongside Paqueta.

Unfortunately, while nobody was expecting Ollie Scarles to be declared fit given his surgery, there was hope, at least among the fanbase, that Crysencio Summerville would be fit enough to play.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nuno revealed that “there are still some issues” with the knock that the Dutchman picked up in the game against Bournemouth.

He then added that, while the club “are still assessing” the issue, they believe “Thursday is probably going to be too soon.”

It’s a real blow for the East Londoners, as while the former Leeds United star hasn’t quite delivered in terms of output, he is still one of their most dangerous and electric attackers.

Moreover, with him out and Paqueta out, that left-hand side looks a lot weaker, that is, unless Nuno makes a bold decision and unleashes one of the academy’s most exciting products there.

The academy star who could replace Paqueta

West Ham have a proud history of developing and promoting their best academy gems, and the latest youngster who could join the likes of Declan Rice and Freddie Potts, while also stepping in for Paqueta, is George Earthy.

The 21-year-old first joined the club at the under-6 level and has since worked his way up through the age groups, impressing the right people at every step.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Appearances

60

55

Minutes

4804′

3703′

Goals

25

19

Assists

18

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

0.61

Minutes per Goal Involvement

111.72′

108.91′

And if that’s still not enough, he has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3703 minutes, for the U21S, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.61 games, or every 108.91 minutes.

Last but certainly not least, the “priceless” youngster, as dubbed by coach Steve Potts, also has four first-team appearances under his belt, in which he’s scored one goal.

In other words, the boyhood Hammer is a huge attacking threat, whether scoring goals or assisting.

Now, some might argue that he lacks enough senior experience to be thrown in the deep end by Nuno on Thursday, but they would be mistaken.

Last season saw the Havering-born gem go on loan to Championship side Bristol City, where he not only made 40 appearances but was named the club’s young player of the year.

Finally, while it is undoubtedly true that the youngster is primarily an attacking midfielder, he has spent time out wide, and it’s not uncommon for managers to stick academy products where they are needed in the team.

Moreover, Paqueta is banned for just one game, and Earthy has more than enough talent and mental fortitude to do a job in a newish position for such a brief spell.

Ultimately, losing the Brazilian for Thursday’s game is far from ideal, but if Nuno is bold enough to start him there, Earthy might just be the solution he needs.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

Despite flat-track preferences, this was a victory that displayed skill and nous

Cameron Ponsonby20-Oct-2025When the going’s good, this England team is great.The common critique of Harry Brook’s team, and Jos Buttler’s before him, is that they are flat-track bullies. The best in the world when the odds are in their favour but one-dimensional when they are not.The opening T20I at Christchurch hinted towards that. They slipped to 81 for 5 on a wicket that was lively, only to be bailed out by Sam Curran and New Zealand’s lasagne hands. A total of 153 may look under par, but at the lowest scoring ground in the country, where the average run rate is 7.8 (aka, a final score of 156), it was a step in the right direction for a team aiming to add brains to their brawn.Cut to 48 hours later and, while the match was on the same wicket, it was a different pitch. Less live grass plus two days of sun had both captains scratching their heads at what to do. Mitchell Santner said bowl, but wasn’t sure.”We’ll see if there’s anything there,” Santner said at the toss. “And if there’s not it might be more of a challenge.”It was more of a challenge.England’s 236 for 4 blitzed the previous highest score at Hagley Oval by over 30 runs. In the history of international T20 cricket at the venue there had only ever been four scores above 170. All things considered, this was an anomalous performance. And a close-to-perfect one at that.”The boundaries are way back,” Curran said after the first match. “A couple of balls you smack and it goes nowhere.”But while England did pack their biceps, striking ten sixes, they also packed their running shoes, scampering 16 twos across the innings. Brook and Phil Salt’s partnership cruised along in fifth gear but took different forms. The boundary may be big, but that means the outfield is too.”He’s very good at playing the field,” Santner explained after the match. “Both him and Salt were very smart using the wind and were able to run hard and hit the pockets on the big side. I think they had 20-something twos (16) and when it’s tough to find dots, when you go two, then four, you’re leaking.”Despite unfurling his ramp once more, Brook’s strengths came down the ground•AFP/Getty ImagesBrook had spoken about this innings before he played it. Ahead of the series he explained his “disappointment” at his white-ball returns. For all the glamour of his roly-poly ramp shots in the Hundred, they weren’t where he believed his strengths lied. He wanted to stand there. And hit straight.”That’s one goal for me this series,” he said, one day out from the first match. “Just to try and play on instinct as much as possible.”All five of Brook’s sixes came from the City End, where the leg-side was to the shorter boundary and had the wind in assistance. Two landed in the stands, one dropped onto the roof, and two went over it.Related

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• Rain ruins Christchurch opener after Curran claws England to 153

• Brook parks Ashes chat to train focus on New Zealand

Salt had been on 39 off 21 when Brook arrived at the crease. But when it became clear Brook was the man of the moment his strike-rate slowed as he focused on getting his captain back on strike. From his next 35 balls he made just 46 runs but England continued to motor.Salt is on four T20I centuries. Only Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma have five, a stat of which Salt is aware, but one he put to one side.”The difference between me going on and getting that score or not was getting Brooky on strike,” he said afterwards. “And, 100 times over, I’d like to be at the other end watching that again.”That’s batting, isn’t it? You have to take the ego out of it.”This was as complete a performance as England could have hoped for. A coach’s dream, in which all parties played their role. Two batters batted big, and those that didn’t, did so quickly. All of Jacob Bethell (24), Tom Banton (29*) and Sam Curran (8*) struck at above 200.”It’s warming to be able to say ‘lads, you go do your thing’,” was Brook’s conclusion at the close.Rashid and Dawson benefitted from England’s willingness to attack their catches in the deep•Joe Allison/Getty ImagesEngland’s perfect day extended to ball in hand as well. Brydon Carse took two up top, before the spin duo of Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid killed the game in the middle. Dawson bowled four through the middle, counterintuitively bowling to New Zealand’s left-hand-heavy middle order to the shorter side, but keeping his line wide. Until Santner got a hold of him in his final over, it worked. After 3.4 overs his figures were 2 for 18. Somehow, his final two legal deliveries conceded 20 runs. We’ll brush over that bit.”Dawson bowling to the short side,” Santner said afterwards. “I thought that was very smart, keeping it off the batsman.”Even Rashid’s four-fer, all of which were caught in the deep, came with thought attached, as those on the large square boundaries were instructed to settle five or ten metres in from the rope.”That’s something we spoke about,” Brook said of his fielders roaming around. “There’s a lot of balls plinked into the outfield and if our fielders were on the rope they’re probably not carrying. So that’s another positive move about taking wickets.”So much of T20 cricket comes down to volatility. One player executing on the day and wrenching the match in one direction or the other. England’s joy this evening will be their success at the bits that are repeatable. Plans were made. And plans were executed.”That’s part of being a team,” Salt concluded. “You have to take the ego out of it. Everything is team first and team orientated. And long may that continue.”