ROOT FIFTY GIVES ENGLAND VICTORY IN ONE-OFF T20

A half-century from Joe Root and three wickets apiece from David Willey and Mark Wood guided England to a 56-run thumping of New Zealand in the one off Twenty20 international.

Carrying on from the 3-2 Royal London One-Day International series victory, England chose the same side that clinched the win at Chester-le-Street three days earlier.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first, Jason Roy getting his side off to a flier with 23 from just 13 balls before he was run out.

That brought Root to the crease and alongside Alex Hales the pair guided England to 76-1 after the eighth over.

However, Hales fell to Mitchell Santner for 27 which sparked a mini collapse as the New Zealand spinner also accounted for Jonny Bairstow before Matt Henry removed captain Eoin Morgan, England falling to 101-4.

Root was unmoved though, completing his half-century from 36 balls, guiding his side to an imposing total alongside cameos from Sam Billings and Ben Stokes.

Billings (21 from 11) and Stokes (24* from 13) shared in crucial partnerships with Root, who eventually fell for a 46-ball 68, as England posted 191-7 from their 20 overs.

New Zealand’s reply stuttered early on, David Willey bowling Martin Guptill for six in the first over.

However, that was the only joy the English bowlers had early on, Brendon McCullum’s quickfire knock putting the hosts on the back foot.

He raced to 35 from just 15 balls, including four sixes, before Mark Wood made the all important breakthrough, New Zealand 48-2 after just four overs.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor continued their fine form from the ODI series; the pair keeping the run rate above ten an over.

However, Adil Rashid took the crucial wicket of Taylor in the ninth over, caught by Willey for 17, sparking a New Zealand collapse.

Stokes backed up his batting efforts by removing Colin Munro (1) and Luke Ronchi (5) in the tenth over, the visitors struggling at 101-5 at the halfway mark.

Three wickets then fell in an eventful Wood over, the Durham seamer bowling Mitchell Santner before Willey ran out Williamson for 57 two balls later.

With the last ball of the 15^th Wood struck again, Tim Southee smacking him straight to mid off where Morgan took the catch, New Zealand’s challenge all but over at 131-8.

Willey then rounded off a fine performance for England, removing Nathan McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan to bowl the Black Caps out for 135, a 56-run win for the hosts. 

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