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Prior to the rainfall began, England's season start became a disappointing affair. On a chilly Christchurch evening, the team's batters were surprised by seam movement – “You don’t expect that in white-ball cricket, so when it does do a little bit it’s almost a shock,” remarked Harry Brook. Additionally, they were slowed down by the spin of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, struggling to 81 for five until initially Sam Curran appeared to save them, and then the weather definitively did.

Feeble Beginning for the English

Only two players scored more than 20, with the dismissal of Buttler for 29, ex-skipper turning into the fifth wicket to fall, marking a poor opening to England’s batting before Sam Curran's forty-nine boosted their total.

“To have him back in the side, he’s a very valuable player to us now with bat, ball and in the field,” commented Harry Brook. “His effort to rescue us from trouble and reach a decent score was impressive. As a left-handed middle-order player, he’s an asset and likely to stay with the team long-term.”

Brook’s Milestone Marred

Before play, Brook had been presented with a special award – almost identical to his regular one – to mark his 50th appearance in T20 cricket, the white-ball captain becoming the 14th Englishman to achieve this milestone. However, the highlight on his headwear was the only positive of his evening, which included a lost coin toss and a equally unfortunate dismissal, clean bowled off his pads just as he found his rhythm after a awkward beginning.

Curran’s Lucky Reprieves

What luck England experienced was greedily hoovered up by Sam Curran, who was helped by three remarkable let-offs. He was on 14 when he skied a Jacob Duffy delivery high into the Canterbury air, from which precipitation had, fortunately, just started to come down. The ball returned freshly lubricated and duly escaped the fielder's grasp.

After a brief interruption and later overs later, the batsman, now on 26, hit the ball to the fielder, where Tim Robinson stood still but still failed to handle it. Then, in the subsequent over, he attempted to scoop a Jamieson delivery that was too full for that shot, failed to connect completely, and was pinned on the front pad.

It seemed clear about where the ball was going, and the official certainly had none, but by this point Curran was the last recognised batter and England had reviews to use. Upon reviewing at a replay, the player was partway to the pavilion, preparing to leave, when it was determined that the ball had pitched beyond the wicket and he was summoned back. He added another 19 runs off his final deliveries to carry the team to 153 for six, at which moment the weather resumed to end the match.

Squad Belief Stays Strong

However, their inability to answer the questions posed by New Zealand’s bowlers does not mean the team will be looking for any other options. “Obviously we didn’t get the start we wanted but the message is going to be just double down,” explained the batsman. “There’s a reason why the team is laid out the way it is – because if we get into situations like that we always have someone who can get us out of the problem.”

The Opposition's Encouraging View

In spite of those two drops, New Zealand will be encouraged by the way they sunk England’s theoretically strong batting lineup, their attackers taking a wicket apiece. “Without knowing the match outcome, we’re satisfied with our display,” said Kyle Jamieson. “We’ve progressed since facing Australia recently. It’s about development; staying on this track is a victory and defines our success.”