The English team Claim Series Win Following Third NZ Twenty20 Washout, Brook Feeling Frustrated

The English T20 contest against New Zealand concluded just as it started, with a washout. Despite earlier sunny weather, the elements played tricks. Rain first intervened at evening, two minutes after play commenced. After a brief resumption, it came back, halted, allowed the crew some opportunity to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a 10pm restart, and then fell once again at just before 10. Only 25 deliveries occurred.

"It's disappointing to travel all the way over to this part of the world and have just one match," Harry Brook said. "Very frustrating."

For the record, England won the toss and chose to bowl. The initial overs yielded boundaries, struck by Seifert—a brief preview of the scoring potential a combination of a placid wicket, strong winds, and Eden Park’s diminutive boundaries might have produced.

The final balls went for six, the batters sending it into the crowd. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, off 3.4 overs, as the match was called off.

For all his frustration, Brook at least has three one-day internationals ahead, but three members of the touring party will no longer be involved when play shifts to Mount Maunganui on the weekend. Zak Crawley (no balls faced) remains in NZ to prepare for the Ashes while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Cox return home.

Friday marks the one-year mark of Cox's exclusion from the Test matches in New Zealand with a thumb fracture sustained in training. He likely hopes his luck in this country could vary as local conditions.

It marked the initial attempt an international had been attempted in the city in this month and clearly showed the reason. "I suppose this time of year showers are likely," commented Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. "We always enjoy to face England any season. The problem was that they were often scheduled to play England not playing England."

England managed to secure one victory, thereby winning the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was equally positive as the planners: "We experienced a hell of a lot of fun," he said. "It was very beneficial. To be able to spend time as a group and build camaraderie surely aids you on the field. We enjoyed ourselves and laughter. It’s been very worthwhile."