England World Cup squad questions fuelled in limp T20 loss to New Zealand

By Will Macpherson, at Edgbaston

England barely put a foot wrong in the first two matches of this series, but in the third, they were outplayed in every department in a curiously flat display. Thanks to a thumping 74-run win, New Zealand can still share the series spoils at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

England’s performance was somewhere between lax and listless. New Zealand won a good toss, and chose to bat on a flat pitch that spun. They piled on 202, with England dropping a catch, missing a run out, bowling two no-balls and appearing too prescriptive in their plans. A chase of 203 would have been an epic effort, but England were limp, with every member of the top seven failing to connect well enough with heaves for the stands. By the time the last pair, Gus Atkinson and Adil Rashid, were flailing away, much of the sell-out crowd had left.

Even Harry Brook failed, which, right now, is a rarity. But so too did some of those whose places in the World Cup squad are threatened by Brook. Dawid Malan made an awkward two off 11 balls, while Liam Livingstone served as an emblem for England’s day, in that he struggled with the ball then the bat. Both men, along with Jason Roy, might endure a sleepless night or two before September 28, the deadline for England to make changes.

Marcus Trescothick, England’s batting coach, was open with the fact that such a scenario does breed “anxiety” for players – but said his only worry about Malan and Livingstone was that they would “overthink things”.

“I am sure it will do [cause anxiety],” he said. “There’s no doubt, when you have that element, noise outside the changing room. You just start to question sometimes, especially if you are not playing so well, of course you do. You deal with sort of anxieties and problems on many occasions, and you know what to do. It’s up to the individuals with our help as coaches to get themselves into the right frame of mind. You do the right things and it falls back into place.”

The fact that England added Brydon Carse, excellent in the first two matches, to their squad for the One-Day International series against New Zealand, which begins in Cardiff on Friday, suggests that the addition of Brook might not be the only World Cup change they are mulling. Carse is increasingly highly regarded, and the fact that he was rested for this game alongside Sam Curran acts as a status symbol. If there was one positive for England here, it was the performance of their other exciting new quick, Atkinson, whose excellent 19th over bagged him a fifth and sixth T20i wicket, stemming New Zealand’s charge.

New Zealand, a classy side, were improved in every facet of the game, but especially the bat. Finn Allen, the dasher, kicked on to an innings of substance, while Glenn Phillips surged through the second half of the innings. Phillips smashed four sixes off Livingstone, who did pick up the wicket of Tim Seifert but went for 55 runs in four overs, while Allen took three sixes in three balls off Adil Rashid.

“Chasing that kind of score we needed a fast start and a good powerplay, but New Zealand bowled well and we didn’t get any partnerships going,” said Jos Buttler, the England captain.

They got quite the opposite. A ball after the powerplay concluded, they had just 30 on the board and had lost their top three. Top-order batting has been more difficult than usual this summer due to a spicy batch of white Kookaburra balls, that have swung nicely. But England made heavy weather of it here.

Will Jacks looked good then got out again. Jonny Bairstow could not get going, while Malan really struggled. In the series opener at Durham, he put a scratchy start behind him to make 54, a major reason for England’s comfortable win, before a four-ball duck at Manchester. Here, he could just not get away, with a mix of swishes and sweetly-timed strikes straight to fielders.

Malan does not believe he and Brook are competing for a place in the squad, because one bats in the top three and the other in the middle order. But Brook’s case has become almost indisputable, and it may not be a direct replacement.

Malan has a substantial international record behind him, which cannot be said for Livingstone. He has just two fifties for England in 35 international matches, and has had a quiet summer. The ability to spin the ball both ways and “win the game with the ball, in the field or the bat”, according to Trescothick will help, but runs from No 6 remain his most important commodity. He, like Roy and Malan, will want some of them before September 28.

New Zealand level T20 series – as it happened

06:07 PM BST

Player on watch?

It will be fascinating to see whether Dawid Malan is picked to play at Trent Bridge. His fifty in the opening match of this series was a good knock but with Harry Brook very much the coming man, one feels he will need a score after a couple of disappointing displays just to make absolutely sure of his place in England’s limited-overs sides moving forward.

06:04 PM BST

'It was probably too much to chase'

England’s Moeen Ali: “A difficult day. They batted and bowled well, we were short, let them score too many and couldn’t get going with the bat.

“I think it was important we get off to a good start. We were always behind, had no time to knock the ball around. It then takes a special innings from one or two guys, we didn’t have that tonight.

“We said how dangerous they were, they can beat anyone in the world. It was awesome from them and great for the series.

“It’s always amazing to play at Edgbaston. It would have been nice to carry on, but it was probably too much to chase.”

06:03 PM BST

Post-match words

New Zealand captain Tim Southee to BBC One: “We asked for a better performance in all three areas and that was the kind of performance you expect to see when we play.

“Finn showed his class today and Glenn has been outstanding for us for a long time, especially on tricky surfaces. He made it look like a completely different surface to everyone else.

“So we got a decent score and then with the ball we were more clinical and also had the advantage of having 20 overs watching England bowl.

“It is nice to keep the four-match series alive and in another couple of days we will be back into it.”

06:03 PM BST

Props to New Zealand

That was a complete display from New Zealand and a reminder, if any was in fact needed, that this team remains among the very best in the world.

Allen and Phillips with the bat, Sodhi and Henry among others with the ball and Mitchell in the field. This series is far from over as we head to Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

05:56 PM BST

'A very flat performance'

A very flat performance from England, which is unusual. New Zealand batted very well, and England’s chase never got going, so there will be something on Tuesday’s game at Trent Bridge.

05:51 PM BST

New Zealand win by 74 runs

No inquest needed from an England perspective. They are capable of better and will produce better but that was a poor performance.

For New Zealand, this was a much-needed display after being hammered twice. With this series, an ODI series and a World Cup on the horizon, this was the sort of performance they needed.

05:49 PM BST

WICKET: Rashid b Southee c Seifert 8

That is that...

FOW: 128 all out

05:47 PM BST

OVER 18: ENG 125/9 (Atkinson 7 Rashid 6)

Rashid produces a deft flick down to fine leg. As No 11s go he’s a pretty good one.

To say this game is meandering towards an assured conclusion would be an understatement.

05:43 PM BST

OVER 17: ENG 118/9 (Atkinson 4 Rashid 2)

Superb fielding at backward point from Conway who gets down quickly to a well-timed cut from Atkinson. NZ have been superb in all facets of their game today.

Some vital middle time for the England tailenders here...

05:39 PM BST

OVER 16: ENG 115/9 (Atkinson 3 Rashid 1)

Gus Atkinson’s first runs in international cricket come in a strange manner. He misses a pull shot and the ball then dribbles off his pads on the stumps. Bails stay on and he’s through for a single..they all count in the end.

05:38 PM BST

WICKET: Moeen b Jamieson c Mitchell 26

Carbon-copy dismissal.

Mitchell safe under the high ball again.

FOW: 113/9

05:34 PM BST

WICKET: Wood b Jamieson c Mitchell 3

Another goes...

Wood looks to have got hold of one but he’s not got enough of it and it’s an easy catch for Mitchell on the mid-on boundary.

FOW: 111/8

05:32 PM BST

OVER 15: ENG 110/7 (Wood 3 Moeen 25)

England have received a huge amount of praise for the manner of their wins in the prior two games but should be prepared for an amount of criticism for the way they have approached this one.

Another nice over from Sodhi...

05:28 PM BST

WICKET: Jordan b Sodhi c Seifert 2

Lovely delivery...

A regulation off-spinner from Sodhi but it’s perfectly bowled and finds just enough grip to generate the edge.

FOW: 104/7

05:27 PM BST

OVER 14: ENG 104/6 (Jordan 2 Moeen 24)

Henry is running in and hitting the pitch hard. It’s just coming onto the bat the way England would like. Cutters and slower balls are the order of the day for Henry and it’s working.

Moeen Ali finally finds the middle for a massive six over deep mid-wicket.

05:23 PM BST

WICKET: Livingstone b Henry c Santner 2

When it rains...

It’s a clean strike from Livingstone. Flat, hard and straight at Santner. England are virtually done here.

FOW: 95/6

05:22 PM BST

OVER 13: ENG 95/5 (Livingstone 2 Moeen 17)

Santner has bowled with superb control here. Livingstone plays and misses twice in a row, the leg-arm off-spinner has him in his grasp here. What an over...just three from it.

05:18 PM BST

WICKET: Buttler c and b Santner 40

That could well be that...

Buttler attempts to seize the initiative but Santner just rushes him and the ball spoons up for the easiest of catches.

FOW: 92/5

05:17 PM BST

OVER 12: ENG 92/4 (Buttler 40 Moeen 16)

Buttler gets a small stroke up luck as a top edge round the corner drops just short of Sodhi at fine leg. Moeen scampers through for a single as an attempted drive finds the man at point. England need more than this.

Buttler is living really dangerously. This time it’s a mistimed pull that drops just short of the waiting NZ fielders. Moeen then gets hold of one over cow corner for a much-need maximum before powering one through extra cover for four.

05:13 PM BST

OVER 11: ENG 78/4 (Buttler 38 Moeen 4)

Sodhi resumes his excellent spell. After a rough evening at Old Trafford, he’s bounced back very well. A couple of singles before Buttler smacks Sodhi back over his head for six. That’s 11 from the over in the end.

05:07 PM BST

OVER 10: ENG 67/4 (Buttler 29 Moeen 3)

Jamieson continues his good work. England are finding it tough to get comfortable on the pace of this wicket. NZ have bowled cleverly, mixing up their paces and it’s only the raw power of Buttler that has had a tangible impact.

Single for Moeen out to deep cover before Buttler picks up another single down to fine leg.

05:02 PM BST

OVER 9: ENG 61/4 (Buttler 26 Moeen 1)

Moeen Ali to the crease with England right up against it. Sodhi drops short and Buttler is lucky after a toed pull finds the gap for four.

04:59 PM BST

WICKET: Brook b Sodhi c Mitchell 8

He’s gone now...

Brook tries to take Sodhi into the stand behind him but is on it too early and it goes straight up. Easy take for Mitchell.

FOW: 55/4

04:58 PM BST

NOT OUT

The replay shows Brook got a tiny nick of a glove on it. He survives.

04:57 PM BST

WICKET: Brook lbw Sodhi 8

Brook reviews straight away...

04:56 PM BST

OVER 8: ENG 55/3 (Buttler 21 Brook 8)

Clever paddle from Brook yields a couple. He has a massive role here if England had any chance of winning this game.

Oh my word...I think we have nearly seen the greatest piece of fielding I have ever seen. Buttler skies one mid-on where Finn Allen takes a remarkable one-handed catch before slinging the ball to Daryl Mitchell, who must be 30 yards away. Mitchell has to dive in an attempt to take the catch but can;t quite hold on.

After review it appears Allen’s foot did hit the ground. It’s a six and in the end wasn’t even that close to being out. Excuse my excitement.

04:51 PM BST

OVER 7: ENG 40/3 (Buttler 10 Brook 4)

Buttler takes three dot balls before clearing his front leg and smashing Sodhi for six down the ground. Route one brutal hitting. Buttler then goes for the reverse sweep and gets another boundary.

04:49 PM BST

Review – not out

Southee thought Sohdi might have got Buttler LBW there but the review showed it hit the England captain outside the off stump.

04:45 PM BST

WICKET: Bairstow b Sohdi c Phillips 12

Oh dear...

Bairstow gets a short one from Sohdi but mistimes it horribly and its simple catch for Phillips out on the boundary.

FOW: 30/3

04:45 PM BST

Sliding doors?

That innings was a real struggle or Dawid Malan. He’s holed out for two off 11 and in comes Harry Brook. There’s a narrative in there somewhere...

04:44 PM BST

OVER 6: ENG 30/2 (Bairstow 12 Brook 4)

The only plus point to Malan’s dismissal is that it brings Harry Brook to the crease. England need an injection of something here and he is often the man to provide it.

Southee serves up a gift first ball, allowing Brook to turn one down to fine leg for four.

04:42 PM BST

WICKET: Malan b Southee c Conway 2

Malan did not look good there...and he’s gone. Malan tries to push the envelope but holes out to the man at deep square.

FOW: 26/2

04:39 PM BST

OVER 5: ENG 25/1 (Bairstow 11 Malan 2)

Mitchell Santner enters the attack. How England play him will go a  long way to determining the outcome of this game. Malan tries the reverse sweep but it’s straight at the man at short fine leg.

Malan then goes for a slog sweep and Phillips does incredibly well. Leaping on the boundary and pushing the ball back across the boundary rope to save six. Wonderful stuff from Phillips. England only ran one there...lacklustre.

Over bowled...just two from it.

04:34 PM BST

Jacks' struggles continue

Will Jacks has not quite clicked in international cricket. He looks right, and gets going nicely, only to get out. He’s too good not to crack a superb 50-ball hundred at some stage.

04:34 PM BST

OVER 4: ENG 23/1 (Bairstow 10 Malan 1)

Two dots from Henry begin the fourth over. NZ are on top here make no mistake. Malan plays and misses at a beautiful delivery which beats him on the inside edge before pushing one out to deep point for a single.

Bairstow drives hard down the ground for four – maybe that will jolt this innings into life as they ill-afford this slow start continuing.

04:29 PM BST

OVER 3: ENG 17/1 (Bairstow 5 Malan 0 )

Good start from Jamieson. Bairstow is trying to find his range here but looks like he’s still getting a handle on the pace of this wicketMalan has a big role to play here as a result.

04:27 PM BST

WICKET: Jacks b Jamieson c Chapman 11

Early wicket! It’s boundary and out for Jacks, who skies one out to deep cover and it’s an easy catch for Chapman on the cover boundary.

FOW: 17/1

04:24 PM BST

OVER 2: ENG 12/0 (Bairstow 4 Jacks 7)

It’s Matt Henry from the other end for NZ. Bairstow far from convinces as he tries a short-arm jab into the leg side but misses it completely before mistiming one down the ground and scampering through for a single. Jacks punches at one but can;t get off strike. An excellent start from Henry, just four from the over.

04:20 PM BST

OVER 1: ENG 8/0 (Bairstow 2 Jacks 6)

Misfield in the covers allows Bairstow to get off the mark straight away before Will Jack uses the pace to run behind square for an early boundary. Singles either side of that boundary mean England are off to a decent start.

04:15 PM BST

The players have emerged

England are up against it for the first time in this series. Time to show they aren’t just flat-track bullies. Will Jacks and Jonny Bairstow to open up for the hosts. Tim Southee will take the first over.

04:06 PM BST

Should be a fun chase

England need 203 to win and, for the first time this series, we have a proper game on our hands. The pitch looks good and England were strangely flat (a dropped catch, a couple of no-balls and missed run outs), but New Zealand were much improved. Should be a fun chase.

04:05 PM BST

OVER 20: NZ 202/5

Chris Jordan will take the last over. The first ball is the perfect wide yorker but the bowler is kicking the turf as the next ball races for four off an outside edge. Chapman then gets across his stumps but Jordan follows him and it’s another valuable dot ball.

Chapman then squirts one behind square on the offside for a couple. Another perfect yorker...but a no-ball. Good becomes bad quickly and it’s a free hit. Jordan gets away with it as Chapman gets the scoop wrong and the ball carries through to Buttler.

England need 203 to win

04:00 PM BST

OVER 19: NZ 193/5 (Chapman 0 Santner 0)

Brilliant over from Gus Atkinson at a pressure moment in the innings.

Very good stuff again from Gus Atkinson, with an outstanding 19th over putting the skids on a huge New Zealand charge. The slower ball yorker to get rid of the set Glenn Phillips was a thing of beauty.

03:58 PM BST

WICKET: Mitchell b Atkinson c Buttler 8

He’s got another! Mitchell tries to scoop Atkinson but doesn’t get enough on it and Buttler takes an easy catch down the leg side.

FOW: 193/5

03:55 PM BST

WICKET: Phillips b Atkinson 69

Big, big wicket. It’s a perfect yorker from Gus Atkinson and Phillips can do nothing about it. That’s a massive wicket at this point of the innings.

FOW: 185/4

03:52 PM BST

OVER 18: NZ 185/3 (Chapman 0 Phillips 69)

Livingstone is on for his final over and Phillips is licking his lips with glee. Livingstone drops short, Phillips smacks him over mid-wicket for six...next ball is a carbon copy. Some cameo this from Glenn Philips.

Six again from Phillips! This time Livingstone is too full and Phillips explodes on it, launching it into the crowd at deep mid-off.

Punishing hitting from Phillips.

03:48 PM BST

OVER 17: NZ 163/3 (Chapman 0 Phillips 48)

Luke Wood returns for his final over. He’s coming round to Allen as he attempts to cramp him for room. Two balls, three runs – a decent start.

Next ball goes for a maximum though, as Wood drops slightly short and Phillips whips it off his hips for a big six to the biggest boundary at the ground. Wood looks to go full but Phillips is wise to it and gets plenty on a strike down the ground to claim another boundary.

03:47 PM BST

WICKET: Allen b Wood 83

Off stump out the ground! Allen goes for another big strike but his luck has run out and he’s headed back to the pavillion.

FOW: 163/3

03:41 PM BST

OVER 16: NZ 149/2 (Allen 80 Phillips 37)

Lovely shot from Phillips, who waits for Jordan to drop short before punching one off the back foot through cover for four. Proper shot that. The next one not so much as Phillips gets an attempted reverse scoop all wrong and wears one on the back leg.

Fortune for Phillips this time, who thanks lady luck as a thick outside edge loops over short third man and runs away for a boundary. Jordan responds with a perfect yorker, which Phillips does very well to dig out.

03:36 PM BST

36 was on the cards for a moment

Just for a moment there, I wondered if Allen was going to take Rashid for 36 in the over, but it was an outstanding comeback from the little leggie.

03:36 PM BST

OVER 15: NZ 137/2 (Allen 78 Phillips 27)

Finn Allen really gets hold of a lofted drive. That has gone miles...even the camera man lost it. Rashid then goes too short and Allen gives it the same treatment with a thunderous blow over the head of the man at cow corner.

Six more! Three in a row for Allen, this time straight back over Rashid’s head. Good response from Rashid, showing all his experience to stem the flow and go for just two from the remaining three deliveries.

20 from the over.

03:31 PM BST

OVER 14: NZ 117/2 (Allen 59 Phillips 26)

Atkinson returns. Allen gets a single after seeing his attempted pull loop high off the splice but then land safe. Nice pace variation from the big seamer, he’s clearly far more than a one-trick pony. Excellent over for England – just five from it.

Good over at an important moment from Gus Atkinson. New Zealand well placed to charge towards 200 here, and because Moeen Ali hasn’t bowled (a match-up issue with only right-handers in), they are slightly less free with their options. One left for Wood and Atkinson, two for Jordan.

03:27 PM BST

OVER 13: NZ 112/2 (Allen 57 Phillips 23)

Livingstone gets his line wrong, allowing Phillips to simply help the ball on its way for four past the man at short fine-leg. This time Phillips goes aerial, Hitting powerful off the back foot for six through deep mid-wicket.

Powerful hitting from Phillips.

03:23 PM BST

OVER 12: NZ 100/2 (Allen 57 Phillips 11)

Very, very tidy from Rashid, who is getting some real turn on this drying wicket. So much so that Buttler has got a slip in after seeing Phillips play and miss. Then just slightly too full from Rashid, allowing Phillips to get close enough to smother any turn as he drives into cover for a couple. Six from the over.

03:20 PM BST

OVER 11: NZ 94/2 (Allen 55 Phillips 7)

Jordan strays to leg side and is hammered to the square leg boundary by Phillips before. Jordan mixes up his pace, tossing an excellent slower ball which Allen can only mis-hit. There are few in the world better at deceiving batters with that delivery than Jordan. He does it again, this time with a slower bouncer which Allen is way too early on.

03:16 PM BST

OVER 10: NZ 86/2 (Allen 53 Phillips 2)

Glenn Phillips joins Allen. Two big hitters at the crease now for NZ. Good stuff from Livingstone though, who’s settled into a length here and getting just enough purchase to keep the batters honest.

He drops a smidge short with his final ball though and Allen cashes in, whipping one out over mid-wicket for six. That brings up a lovely fifty for Allen.

03:09 PM BST

WICKET: Seifert b Livingstone st Buttler 19

Got him!

There’s turn there for Livingstone, who beats Seifert and drags him forward enough for Buttler to whip the bails off.

FOW: 75/2 

03:08 PM BST

OVER 9: NZ 75/1 (Allen 44 Seifert 19 )

Rashid goes goalkeeper mode as he tries to fetch a straight drive from Allen but he’s wrong footed and the NZ pair scamper through for a single. Allen then goes full power mode, getting to the pitch and smacking Rashid over his head for six. Allen does continue to ride his luck though, this time it’s a mis-timed drive off the back foot which loops to safety out in the deep.

03:05 PM BST

OVER 8: NZ 64/1 (Allen 36 Seifert 16 )

England go spin from both ends with Liam Livingstone coming into the attack. Allen attempts to go over the man at deep mid-on but shanks it – he might be a touch lucky that it didn’t carry there.

Seifert is certainly lucky on the next ball after Will Jacks drops a rudimentary chance at cow corner. He had to make up a lot of ground but that should have been out. To make matters worse, the ball runs for four directly off his hand.

Will Jacks should have left that catch to Chris Jordan. CJ is one of the finest catchers England have ever had, and was running to his right. That said, Seifert split them perfectly, and it went miles in the air. Tricky one.

03:02 PM BST

OVER 7: NZ 54/1 (Allen 33 Seifert 9)

Adil Rashid into the attack. Pace off might just be what England need here to stem the flow a touch. Brilliant fielding from Harry Brook out of the mid-off boundary – saves a certain boundary. Good over for England, just six from it.

02:59 PM BST

OVER 6: NZ 48/1 (Allen 32 Seifert 5)

Wood continues. Very close to another run out as Malan charges in and produces a diving underarm throw after Seifert drops and runs. Allen would have been at least a yard out there.

Brilliant fielding from Atkinson at short fine leg, who dives ful length to prevent a boundary after Allen got a tickle on one down the leg side.

Allen whips the last ball of the over through mid-wicket for four.

02:54 PM BST

OVER 5: NZ 39/1 (Allen 26 Seifert 1)

Chris Jordan is into the attack and already delving into his bag of tricks. Allen comes down the track with one thing in his mind but is deceived but an excellent slower ball.

Jordan’s first over ends with Allen drilling one over mid-off’s head for six. Lovely shot.

02:50 PM BST

Comical stuff

Comical stuff there. Run out going to the third... off a no-ball. Devon Conway is probably pretty hacked off, especially as his mate Tim Seifert gets a free hit first ball (but cannot connect).

02:49 PM BST

OVER 4: NZ 31/1 (Allen 20 Seifert 0)

That run out is a real shame for NZ as it spoilt what had been a very encouraging start. Tim Seifert the man in at three.

02:48 PM BST

WICKET: Conway run out 9

It was a no-ball as well. That will really, really sting.

FOW: 31/1

02:46 PM BST

OOOO this looks tight

Conway came back for a third but looks a long way out of his ground.

02:43 PM BST

OVER 3: NZ 20/0 (Allen 11 Conway 8)

Luke Wood just tightens up his line a touch, squeezing Allen for space as the latter looks to generate the width outside off stump that he thrives on. Wood gets a hint of movement off the pitch with his first ball to Conway but the man at short fine leg can’t prevent the single.

Conway comes down the track and skews one in the air out to the cover boundary but it drops safe as the man at third man charges round.

02:38 PM BST

OVER 2: NZ 15/0 (Allen 9 Conway 5)

Gus Atkinson overpitches with his first delivery and Conway doesn’t miss out, punching the England quick through cover-point for four before nabbing a quick single with a dab down to third man. Decent pace from Atkinson early on. In and around 90 mph.

Allen attempts to smash one out in cow corner but mis-times it straight to the man at mid-wicket. Another single and then a wide from Atkinson.

02:34 PM BST

OVER 1: NZ 8/0 (Allen 8 Conway 0)

England cordon goes up with a half-appeal as Wood gets some early movement into Allen’s pads. The New Zealand opener then chases one which slides across him outside off stump before crashing the next ball for four through cover. Next ball – same result. Serious tempo from Allen.

Two dots to end the first over.

02:30 PM BST

Here we go

Luke Wood will take the first over. Finn Allen on strike.

02:29 PM BST

Here come the teams

Fire spewing from the flamethrowers flanking the players entrance onto the outfield.

Jury very much still out for me about whether they actually do anything to enhance the atmosphere.

02:26 PM BST

Curious that Carse has been left out

Greetings from Edgbaston, where it’s a really beautiful afternoon and New Zealand have chosen to bat first. Jos Buttler said he’d have done the same.

It’s Dawid Malan’s 36th birthday today, so he was given an envelope containing something in England’s huddle. What could it be? I suspect he rather hopes it was simply a plane ticket to India.

Speaking of which, interesting to me that Brydon Carse has been left out today, having been added to the ODI squad next week. I wondered whether he, along with Harry Brook, could be bolting into World Cup contention.

02:22 PM BST

England's bowling depth

England’s seemingly unending ability to be able to shift the deck when it comes to bowling in limited-overs internationals is impressive. Luke Wood and Chris Jordan would both have legitimate arguments for starting berths in this side but are having to settle for playing second, or in some cases, third fiddle.

It is worth remembering the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Reece Topley are not even involved in this series.

02:12 PM BST

'We always challenge the team to raise the level'

England captain Jos Buttler: “We would have batted as well because it looks pretty dry but hopefully it stays a good wicket for the duration.

“We’re always just trying to do what is best for the conditions on the day. We do like to chase in T20 cricket but it does look dry today so batting first is probably the right option. Hopefully we can restrict them and chase the score down.

“We are always searching for things to get better. It isn’t just the skill level that has been pleasing, it has been the attitude and intensity with which we’ve played. It is something we pride ourselves on and we always challenge the team to raise the level.”

02:10 PM BST

Pre-match words from Tim Southee

 “It’s not been our finest series in the first two games but this is a great opportunity to turn it around.

“The guys know we need to build partnerships and set a platform for the guys to kick on later in the innings.

“England are a quality side that keep coming hard at you. If you look at the last game we were not as good as we could have been.

“There’s two changes. Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne sit it out. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson come in.”

02:08 PM BST

Teams in full

England: Bairstow, Jacks, Malan, Brook, Bairstow, Ali, Livingston, Jordan, Rashid, Wood, Atkinson

• Two changes for England, with Luke Wood and Chris Jordan coming in for Brydon Carse and Sam Curran.

New Zealand: Conway, Allen, Seifert, Philips, Chapman, Mitchell, Santner, Jamieson, Sodhi, Southee, Henry

• Two changes also for the visitors, as Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry come in for Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson.

02:02 PM BST

New Zealand win the toss

Captain Tim Southee elects to bat first.

02:01 PM BST

Here comes the toss

Bat-first day methinks...

01:58 PM BST

Atkinson reflects on debut

By Will Macpherson

It was, according to Gus Atkinson, a “perfect” evening at Old Trafford on Friday. “I can’t ask for much more than that to be honest,” he said of his international debut. “I’m very happy.”

And so he should be. Atkinson bowled just 2.5 overs on the first of his three England debuts – because, yes, ODI and Test bows seem certain to follow pretty promptly – but picked up four for 20. No England bowler has performed better on T20 debut. Another chance will follow as the series continues in Birmingham today and Nottingham on Tuesday, before the ODIs next week and the World Cup that follows.

Atkinson said that he was “just trying to do what I’ve been doing for Surrey and the Oval Invincibles, and thankfully it worked well for me tonight”. England got exactly what they were hoping for from him: pace, bounce and no obvious nerves. He was sharp enough to keep top order batsmen on a leash, and simply too quick and skilful for the tail. Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow both spoke in glowing terms about him.

Everything about Atkinson is understated and quiet. He is softly-spoken, and not overly expressive. He trots to the crease without fuss, with his right arm coming over high and fast, which hurries batsmen, and explains why he has regularly hit them on the head or body. His second ball was 92mph in Manchester, and his fourth brought a wicket. He is keen to play down comparisons with Jofra Archer that players on the circuit first noted last summer.

That his first wicket arrived so quickly, he admitted, helped settle the nerves. He had learnt on Thursday that he would definitely be playing in the second T20, but remained calm. “I thought the nerves would kick in later on but once I got that first ball, first wicket and first over out of the way, then it was happy days,” he said.

The first wicket brought a celebration that was typically understated. He explains: “One of my friends said, ‘You never know, we might get a smile out of you when you get your first wicket.’ So I was thinking of that once I got my wicket but yeah, I was obviously very happy inside.”

At 25, Atkinson is by no means old. But he has had to wait for this opportunity, with injuries slowing his path. He was presented his England cap by Sam Curran, also 25 and a peer in the Surrey system. Curran has been an England regular for five years and Friday’s T20 was his 350th professional game. It was just Atkinson’s 60th. They are part of a particularly productive Surrey academy cohort, along with Ollie Pope, plus Championship winners Amar Virdi and Ryan Patel. Will Jacks, now an England team-mate, is a few months younger.

Atkinson says the time it has taken to reach the top made his debut that much more special.

“I knew that once I got going, it could happen quickly,” he said. “I’ve always known my ability and what I can do and I always knew once I had the chance with games. The Hundred was a big opportunity. I knew if I could perform in that, then it would happen quickly and thankfully it has.

“I think I’ve always had it [the pace] in me. It’s just a case of game time and confidence in my body and in my bowling in general. Just being able to go, ‘Right I’m going to run in and bowl quick!

“I’ve worked quite hard for it and gone through a few injuries, so to come and perform well on my debut and be here in an England shirt is a dream come true.”

01:55 PM BST

Weather set fair in Birmingham

What a day for it at Edgbaston. We are set for a cracking atmosphere this afternoon with a full house confirmed.

01:50 PM BST

England's brutal hitting at Old Trafford

I’ll just let the video do the talking...

01:47 PM BST

Sad news from the world of cricket today...

...after it was confirmed that former Zimbabwe captain and coach Heath Streak had died at the age of 49.

Read more HERE

01:40 PM BST

Carse into 50-over mix

Brydon Carse has been added to England’s squad for their one-day internationals against New Zealand after impressing in the T20 series.

Durham quick Carse claimed three for 23 in Wednesday’s emphatic victory at his home ground and followed it up with another fine display at Old Trafford on Friday.

It has helped England move 2-0 up in the four-match T20 series but Carse’s involvement against the Black Caps will now extend into the ODI series, which begins on September 8.

Carse has made nine appearances for England in 50-over cricket, although his most recent ODI outing was last summer against South Africa.

01:36 PM BST

England look to press home dominance

Good afternoon and welcome to Edgbaston as England look to continue their scintillating form in the third of four T20 internationals against New Zealand.

Both previous matches have been verging on non-contests, with England dominating the visitors in virtually every department.

The likes of Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson have enjoyed superb bows on the international stage, while Harry Brook has continued to make a mockery of the curious decision by the England selectors to exclude him from the squad for the upcoming 50-over World Cup.

Two brutal hitting displays have underlined the value the Yorkshireman brings to any England limited-overs side and indeed captain Jos Buttler has had to concede that there is still a chance Brook could force his way into the squad.

“He is playing brilliantly well and I thought the way he played tonight, the other night, all credit must go to him,” Buttler told the BBC, after Brook’s knock of 67 at Old Trafford.

“There is obviously a lot of noise around the World Cup and him not being in that squad at the moment, but for him to go and play the way he does, he is no different in the dressing room - nothing seems to affect him.

“There is a long time from now until we get on the plane and you never know what can happen. At the minute he is not in the squad, but you never know what can happen.”

The performance of Atkinson will have also pleased Buttler. The Surrey quick took an impressive four for 20 as New Zealand slumped to 103 all out in reply to England’s 198 at Old Trafford.

With Jofra Archer and Mark Wood currently sidelined, the sight of another big seamer hurling deliveries down well in excess of 90mph is exactly what Buttler and all England fans wanted to see.