T20 Tri-series: Late Trent Boult strikes give New Zealand 12-run win over England

Trent Boult grabbed two wickets on successive balls to help New Zealand to a 12-run win over England in their T20 tri-series match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Tuesday.

Left-arm seamer Boult bowled Chris Jordan and then Liam Plunkett on the final two deliveries of the 18th over to reduce the visitors to 168 for eight in their pursuit of 197 for victory. Adil Rashid kept out the hat-trick delivery on the first ball of the final over but there was too much for the leg-spinner and Chris Wood to do and they finished on 184 for nine.

“It was a must-win for us in terms of the series,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said in reference to their seven-wicket loss to Australia in their opening match. “This is a very strong England side and we had to play some really good cricket.”

Australia have already qualified for the final at Eden Park on Feb. 21 after winning all three of their matches so far. Williamson anchored New Zealand’s 196 for five with 72 while he also shared in an 82-run second-wicket partnership with Martin Guptill, who scored 65 from 40 balls.

Mark Chapman, who has also played international cricket for Hong Kong, …read more