Salt and Brook pepper England

Phil Salt and Harry Brook powered England to a dominant 65-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20 in Christchurch giving the tourists a 1-0 series lead with one match to play.

The pair combined for 129 in 69 balls as the visitors impressively piled up 236-4 - the highest score made at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval in T20 internationals and England’s fifth highest in the format.

Opener Salt continued his superb form with 85 from 56 balls, but it was Brook who was the more destructive in striking five sixes in a 35-ball 78.

He punished an uncharacteristically sloppy New Zealand fielding performance - Jimmy Neesham put down a simple chance to dismiss Brook at long-on - and rendered the Black Caps bowling helpless when in full flow.

Brook’s hitting left New Zealand needing their highest T20 chase and the home team rarely threatened, despite a decent start giving them a platform at 87-2 after nine overs.

The ever-reliable Adil Rashid took 4-32 while England’s catching was clinical. The hosts were bowled out for 171 in 18 overs.

England can clinch the series in the third match in Auckland on Thursday.

Scores:
England 236 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 85, Harry Brook 78)
New Zealand 171 in 18 overs (Seifert 39, Adhil Rashid 4 for 32)