🔗 Share this article

England's T20 series versus New Zealand ended exactly how it began, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the conditions teased and taunted. Rain first intervened at evening, moments following the match began. After a brief resumption, it returned, halted, allowed the crew some opportunity to mop up, let officials plan a 10pm restart, and then resumed pouring at just before 10. Only 25 deliveries occurred.

"You don’t want to come all the way over to this part of the world and have just one match," Harry Brook said. "Very frustrating."

Officially, England won the toss and opted to field. Two of the first three deliveries went for four, both hit by Tim Seifert—a brief preview of the run-scoring a combination of a flat pitch, a wild wind, and the small boundaries might have produced.

The final balls went for six, the batters pulling into the stands. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, from 3.4 overs, when the game officially ended.

For all his frustration, Harry still has three one-day internationals to come, but three members of this England squad will no longer be involved when play shifts to the Bay Oval on Sunday. Zak Crawley (no balls faced) will stay in New Zealand to continue his Ashes preparations while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Cox head home.

Friday marks the one-year mark of Cox being ruled out from England’s Test series in New Zealand with a broken thumb sustained in training. He likely hopes his luck in New Zealand would be as unpredictable as the weather.

This was the first time an international had been attempted in Auckland in October and neatly illustrated why. "I suppose October rain is always a potential," said Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. "We always enjoy to face England no matter what time of year. The issue being that they were often they were supposed to be playing England not playing England."

England managed to secure a single win, thus taking the series, and Harry's summary of it was as optimistic as the planners: "We experienced a hell of a lot of fun," he said. "We’ve gained a lot. Spending time as a group and try to become good mates surely aids you on the field. We enjoyed ourselves and smiles. It was truly valuable."