England claim series after rain ruins Auckland decider
Only 3.4 overs possible on blustery, grey day at Eden Park
Only 3.4 overs possible on blustery, grey day at Eden Park
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Vithushan Ehantharajah
10:29pm Right, that's all from us. See you for the ODI series which begins on Sunday!
10:26pm Player of the series is Harry Brook for 98 runs in two innings, 78 of which came in the second T20I at Hagley Oval. "Very frustrating, the weather hasn't been ideal. But great for the boys to get some time out there.
"It's a great place to tour, we've had an amazing time so far. We've got the ODIs coming up and we're looking forward to it. We've got a few big names coming back and hopefully we can keep that momentum in the next few weeks."
Not really all that much for Mitchell Santner to say given how little play has been had. But here he is: "I guess this time of the year it (rain) is always a potential. It's always nice to play England no matter what time of the year you play.
"The way we bowled in that first game, especially on a Hagley wicket that did give us a little bit. The second game, we were put under a lot of pressure on a good wicket, so when we come across that again, we'll have learnings from that."
10:11pm Match abandoned! That's all folks. For the match and this particular series. England take it 1-0, winning the only completed match of the three
10:01pm Here come the ground staff with the covers...
9:58pm "Trescothick (England assistant coach) having a word with one of the umpires and wiping his hand on the ground," reports Cameron Ponsonby. "Don't get the impression England particularly keen here."
Just like that, with both teams on the perimeter, the rain has returned. The three umpires don't look especially keen to get out there, either.
9:49pm NOW THEN! We have a 10pm restart, 8 overs-a-side!
Powerplay 2.2 overs, four bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs.
9:48pm Covers off, even middle stump going in at each end. The problem remains the outfield. The drainage is great at Eden Park, but it'll take a lot longer to dry given the temperature has dropped
9:46pm Ed: "England are going to end up chasing 80 off 5..." At least that'll give us something!
john: "Can they make the ODIs, 20 over game now , starting at the same time. Might get a result"
9:39pm "It's tedious at this point but covers coming off again," our Cam Ponsonby, slowly losing the will...
9:30pm Some movement out there as the ground staff have started peeling off the covers... and now putting them back on as it has started raining again...
Craig: "Agree Justin, the last 2 series seem to have been squeezed in as warm ups for Aus and Eng, and perhaps that NZ hasn't played any meaningful cricket for so long too"
9:25pm Justin Dove: "These T20 matches played in October have been a complete disaster. A total waste of everyone's time and money from the international teams, broadcasters and fans. A bad advert for money over quality cricket. Nothing meaningful has been the outcome. Appalling. "
9:18pm Howdy folks - I come bearing good news. It's basically stopped raining in Auckland, but for the odd spit. The problem is the outfield, which is clearly soaked. "There's a little bit of work for the ground staff to do out here," says commentator and former White Fern Frances Mackay.
9.12pm: They are battening down the main cover on the pitch, though the expectation seems to be that it's just a passing shower. Think we've still got an hour or so to play with, if we're reduced to the minimum of five-overs-a-side. Time for Vish to don his wellies and step back in for a bit
9.09pm: Ach, and now the umpires have had enough. Off go the players, on come the covers again. Another squall as blown in, not heavy at the moment - but then the ground has already taken a fair bit
Raining again, it seems
Unsatisfactory series demonstrates so much that is wrong with international game
Only 3.4 overs possible on blustery, grey day at Eden Park
Fast bowler's workload to be managed in lead-up to Perth Test, in less than a month's time