Rain played havoc in Auckland as it forced the final T20I between New Zealand and England to be reduced to an 11-over a side contest. But once the contest rolled on, it proved to be nothing short of a thriller with both teams taking it down to the wire with a Super Over.
While most would have not liked the rain disruption, England’s Jonny Bairstow did not particularly mind it as it allowed him to get into the T10 mode, which eventually helped his side clinch the series. He smashed five sixes and two boundaries while scoring 47 off 18 deliveries.
“But a lot of the guys played in the T10 last year and said, ‘look, we’re not far off here – if we can within striking distance with the small boundaries, we’ve got a chance’.”
“I don’t feel like I’ve potentially scored as many as I wanted during the series,” he added.
“So to contribute in a shortened game – obviously the pitch here is quite favourable for the batters [but] to get some runs was pleasing.”
