England’s first T20 international against New Zealand was called off due to heavy rain in Christchurch, marking a disappointing start to their packed winter schedule. Scheduled to take place on February 3, 2024, the match was abandoned shortly after the innings break, with the weather denying New Zealand the opportunity to respond to England’s total.
Having been put in to bat, England struggled to find their rhythm on a challenging pitch. England captain Harry Brook and his team faced difficulties early on, with only Sam Curran managing to score over 30 runs. Curran’s resilient unbeaten 49 off 35 balls helped England recover from a precarious position of 81-5, allowing them to post a total of 153-6 after 20 overs. Unfortunately, the rain arrived during the interval, and play was officially abandoned at 22:12 local time.
Despite the setback, England remains in Christchurch as they prepare for the second T20 match on February 5, 2024. Following that, they will travel to Auckland for the third T20 on February 8, 2024, before beginning a three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Brook and Santner Reflect on the Match
Captain Harry Brook acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, stating, “The ball did a bit to start with and New Zealand are very experienced with the new ball—Matt Henry especially, who made the most of the pitch.” Brook emphasized the need for adaptability in their approach, noting the depth of talent within the squad. “We have some extremely talented and powerful batters, so if we don’t get the start we want, we can accelerate at the end. In the next game, we want to adapt quicker,” he added.
New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, praised his team’s performance, particularly with the new ball. “We started off extremely well with the new ball—it looked pretty challenging—so it was a good all-round performance,” he remarked. Santner sees this match as a positive beginning for the team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February and March 2024. “You want a well-balanced squad for that—plus a win at home in front of your own fans,” he concluded.
As both teams look ahead, the abandoned match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket, particularly in the winter months. Fans will be eager to see how England adapts in their next encounter, while New Zealand aims to build on their early momentum.
