The much-anticipated third T20 International between New Zealand and England at Eden Park was called off on Thursday due to persistent rain, with only a paltry 22 balls bowled in total. This abandonment sealed England’s 1-0 series victory in the three-match contest, an outcome heavily influenced by weather, as the first T20 in Christchurch had also been washed out.
After winning the toss, England chose to field, but their plans were immediately disrupted by a sudden downpour. New Zealand had barely started their innings, reaching 8-0 after just three deliveries, before the umpires were forced to bring out the covers and halt play.
A hopeful resumption saw the teams back on the field approximately 90 minutes later. However, only 19 additional balls could be bowled before the rain returned with renewed intensity, forcing another interruption. Subsequent efforts to restart the game were repeatedly thwarted; covers were removed twice, only for the skies to open up once more, making any further play impossible.
This T20I series commenced unusually early in New Zealand’s home cricket calendar, which typically kicks off closer to December. The nation has been grappling with severe weather conditions, including powerful winds gusting up to 230 km/h in regions like Wellington and the South Island, resulting in considerable property damage.
New Zealand Cricket opted to proceed with the series despite the challenging weather, having previously hosted T20 fixtures against Australia during the month of October.
With the T20I series behind them, both teams are now focusing on the upcoming One-Day International series, with the inaugural match scheduled for Sunday in Mount Maunganui.
The heavily disrupted series ultimately saw England remain unbeaten, having secured victory in the only match that was actually played. For New Zealand, it was a frustrating affair, as they were denied adequate opportunities to showcase their talent due to the relentless weather.
Understandably, this rain-affected series has been a source of significant frustration for both dedicated fans and the players, with a mere one game completed out of the three planned matches.
All eyes are now fixed on the weather forecast for the upcoming ODI encounter on Sunday, followed by subsequent matches on October 29 and November 1, in hopes of uninterrupted play.