England-New Zealand Super over drama: ENG vs NZ 5th T20I

Auckland: There is something about New Zealand vs England deciders. These games end up getting too close for comfort. England won another super over to win the five-match T20I series by 3-2 at Eden Park, Auckland on November 10. New Zealand failed to chase down 18 runs in the super over as England bowler Chris Jordan restricted them for just eight runs.

The Super-over thing isn't for Black Caps

A Deja Vu moment in the T20I series decider as compared to World Cup 2019 final. Chasing a total of 147 in a rain affected 11-overs per side game, England needed 16 runs off the last over.

A flying start by Martin Guptill and Colin Munro saw New Zealand post 146 from 11 overs in the rain-affected T20 International decider against England in Auckland on Sunday.

But wonderful cameos by Jonny Bairstow (47 runs off 18 balls), Eoin Morgan and Sam Curran took England close. It came down to 16 runs needed off the last over a scenario similar to the World Cup final earlier this year.

But Chris Jordan came in cold, belted the first ball he faced for a six, got two off the second and then, with England needing five to win, he hit a four to tie the game.

Batting first in the six-ball shoot-out, Morgan and Jonny Bairstow had struck a six apiece and posted 17 runs in total. Jordan was then the man entrusted with the ball, leaking just eight runs and claiming the wicket of Tim Seifert via a sparkling catch from Morgan to complete a 3-2 series win for this inexperienced touring side.

On both occasions, Martin Guptill scored just one run in the super over. In World Cup final he faced the last delivery whereas at Auckland he got the strike on the fifth delivery.

It didn’t come down to boundaries after the Super Over as England were far too good for the Kiwis.

Bairstow was named ‘Man of the match’ for his 18-ball 47 including two fours and five sixes. The English opener led the run chase from the front despite three quick wickets in the powerplay overs. He had support from Morgan and Sam Curran who played useful cameos.