New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international – live

<p> Updates from the series opener in Christchurch<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">Sign up for The Spin newsletter</a> | And <a href="mailto:james.wallace@theguardian.com">mail James</a></p><p><strong>3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2)</strong> Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.</p><p><strong>2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0)</strong> Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/oct/18/new-zealand-v-england-first-mens-t20-cricket-international-live">Continue reading...</a>