Wisden
Twenty20 International, Manchester

England v New Zealand, 2015

Andrew Alderson

At Manchester, June 23 (floodlit). England won by 56 runs. Toss: England. Twenty20 international debuts: S. W. Billings, D. J. Willey, M. A. Wood; M. J. Santner.
New Zealand collapsed from 89 for two in the ninth over as England's revival crossed over into the shortest format. The last five wickets fell in 12 balls, and the decisive blow came when Williamson, having reached 50 for the sixth time in ten international innings on the tour, was superbly run out by Willey's direct hit from the covers. England's own innings had been organised impeccably by Root after an initial flurry from Roy, before late hitting from Billings and Stokes helped them to 191. Santner was the pick of the New Zealand attack, removing Bairstow - England's hero at Riverside three days earlier - with a beauty that hit the top of middle. Willey bowled Guptillwith the third ball of the New Zealand chase, but Brendon McCullum was in pugnacious mood,hitting four sixes from his first 12 deliveries. Wood and Willey chipped away, however, and New Zealand's highly entertaining trip ended in anticlimax.
Man of the Match:J. E. Root.Attendance:16,046

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