In an enthralling T20I encounter, New Zealand pulled off a stunning victory over England at Edgbaston, narrowing down the series lead to 2-1 in England's favour. With this win, the Kiwis have not only kept the series hopes alive but have also exhibited their supremacy in the shorter format of the game.
Opening brilliance by Finn Allen
Finn Allen, one of New Zealand's most promising talents, set the tone for a mammoth total of 202 for 5. Allen crafted a phenomenal 83-run innings from just 53 balls, a masterclass that featured four boundaries and six maximums. At the other end, Glenn Phillips added fuel to the fire.
Phillips took the English bowlers to the cleaners with his 34-ball 69, an innings sprinkled with five boundaries and as many sixes. His knock demonstrated why he's considered one of the most formidable batters in New Zealand's line-up.
England's bowling and batting woes
Gus Atkinston was the silver lining for the English side, picking up two crucial wickets for 31 runs. However, New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack decimated England's reputed batting unit. Despite Jos Buttler's valiant 40 runs off 21 balls, the home side faced a dismal end, bowled out for a meagre 128 runs.
Kiwi bowlers seal the deal
Kyle Jamieson returned from injury with a bang, capturing three wickets and conceding just 23 runs. Spin wizard Ish Sodhi also joined the party, picking up three wickets to dismantle the English batting line-up. Their collective efforts secured a 74-run victory for the Kiwis, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown at Trent Bridge on September 5.
Series so far
Earlier in the series, England had tasted victory with a seven-wicket win in the first T20I match and a 95-run triumph in the second. But New Zealand's Edgbaston win changes the equation entirely, making the final T20I match a must-watch.
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