New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum led from the front with a typically quickfire innings as the Black Caps beat England by five runs to win the first Twenty20 international at The Oval on Tuesday.
The skipper’s 68 off just 48 balls, including two sixes and seven fours, was the heart of New Zealand’s imposing 201/4 and although England had a bold stab at a target of 202 it proved just beyond their reach.
McCullum shared a second-wicket stand of 114 with opener Hamish Rutherford, man-of-the-match for his dashing 62, after Boyd Rankin struck early on his England debut to leave New Zealand one for one. Brendon McCullum saw a top-edge off Rankin fly 83 yards for a six over Buttler’s head and Rutherford was even luckier when, on 25, a mistimed cut off Jade Dernbach’s first ball was dropped by Bopara at point.
Wright, who led the bowling with two for 31, struck when he yorked Brendon McCullum before Ross Taylor’s rapid 32 not out helped New Zealand beyond 200.
England openers Michael Lumb (29) and Alex Hales (39) posted a fifty stand inside four overs before Lumb played on to off-spinner Nathan McCullum.
However, the runs kept coming from a side still missing Kevin Pietersen, but McCullum’s move to bring a slip in as late as the 14th over was rewarded when Taylor took a brilliant leaping one-handed catch off a fiercely edged cut by Morgan as the dangerman fell for just seven off paceman Ian Butler.
And when Wright, who made 52 off just 34 balls to complete a fine all-round match, was caught behind by Tom Latham, off Mitchell McClenaghan, England were 139/4.
England needed 16 off the final over, bowled by Corey Anderson. Ben Stokes promptly hoisted Anderson for a huge legside six to make the target 10 off five balls only for the bowler to hold his nerve.