England–New Zealand First T20I Abandoned

The first T20I between England and New Zealand in Christchurch was abandoned due to rain during the interval, with play officially called off at 10:12pm local time. England, put in to bat at Hagley Oval, finished 153-6 with Sam Curran unbeaten on 49 off 35 after the visitors had been 81-5 earlier on a tricky surface. New Zealand did not get to chase, though bowlers Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner had made early inroads before the stoppage. Captains Harry Brook and Santner described the conditions as challenging, with Brook stressing England’s batting depth and the need to adapt. The three-match T20 series continues with the second game in Christchurch on Monday and the decider in Auckland on Thursday, and is being treated as both preparation for the T20 World Cup and part of England’s winter build-up to the Ashes.