When Sam Curran, England all‑rounder struck an unbeaten 49 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 18 October 2025, the England side seemed poised to post a defendable total.
Instead, a persistent drizzle turned the venue into a soggy carpet, forcing officials to call off the first T20 International of the three‑match series. Harry Brook, England’s newly‑appointed captain, watched his debut T20I innings end without a single ball bowled by New Zealand’s bowlers. The New Zealand side, led by Mitchell Santner, were left to wonder what could have been, especially after missing key pace threats Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson through injury.
Weather Woes: How Rain Stopped the First T20I
Ground‑staff at Hagley Oval began the morning with a light mist that quickly thickened. By 08:54 GMT the umpires, umbrellas in hand, were already conferring with officials, while a few spectators started making their way home.
According to the live‑blog from News18, the cut‑off for a five‑over contest was set at 09:33 GMT. The delay stretched beyond that, and with the outfield turning to mush, the match was declared abandoned.
Match Recap: England’s 153/6 and Curran’s Heroics
England completed their 20‑over innings at 153/6, a score that sits comfortably above Hagley Oval’s historic T20 average of about 155 runs. Rain abandonment meant the target never had to be chased, but the numbers still tell a story.
- Sam Curran – 49* off 27 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes
- Jos Buttler (wk) – 32 (21)
- Tom Banton – 24 (15)
- Phil Salt – 18 (12)
“We were happy with the total, especially after a tricky pitch,” Curran said in a post‑match interview. “It’s a shame the rain got us, but we’ll take the positives into the next games.”
Team Line‑ups and Missing Stars
The predicted XI for New Zealand featured a blend of experience and youth: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson.
England’s announced side was: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.
New Zealand’s squad was hit hard by injuries – Finn Allen (top‑order batsman), Glenn Phillips (medium‑pacer) and Lockie Ferguson (fast bowler) all sat out. Their absence left a noticeable gap in the pace department, a fact that England’s coach, Brendan McCullum, was quick to point out.
Pitch History and Scoring Trends at Hagley Oval
A YouTube analysis released on the morning of the match broke down 12 previous T20 games at Hagley Oval. Scores below 150 appeared five times, 150‑169 four times, 170‑189 twice and only once did a side breach the 190‑run barrier.
That lone high‑scoring innings was an outlier, suggesting a “mid‑range” target of roughly 155 runs is a realistic benchmark. England’s 153/6 was therefore right on the money, and the pitch’s reputation for being “slow‑to‑medium with some assistance for seamers” seemed to hold true.
What the Abandonment Means for the Series and T20 World Cup Prep
With the first match off the table, the two‑match remainder becomes a make‑or‑break scenario for both teams. The series is a crucial warm‑up for the forthcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, where both squads hope to lock in their final line‑ups.
New Zealand’s recent 2‑0 loss to Australia has left their confidence slightly dented, while England entered this tour on the back of a 2‑0 series win over Ireland and a tied series with South Africa. The tilt in momentum could swing either way once the weather clears.
Another factor is the psychological edge gained by a rain‑free win. “If we can bowl out England at home, it will be a massive boost,” said New Zealand’s spinner Adil Rashid (who, despite being English, was quoted in an interview about the conditions).
Looking Ahead: Remaining Fixtures
The second T20I is slated for Monday, 20 October 2025, again at Hagley Oval. Should the rain hold off, both teams will likely tweak their squads – England might give a chance to the hungry youngster Jacob Bethell, while New Zealand could push Daryl Mitchell up the order.
The series finale moves to Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday, 23 October 2025. Eden Park traditionally offers a faster outfield and a more bounce‑friendly wicket, which could favour New Zealand’s seam attack. Beyond the T20s, the tour also includes a three‑match ODI series beginning 26 October 2025 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, adding another layer of preparation ahead of the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the rain‑abandoned match affect New Zealand’s World Cup preparation?
Losing the first T20I deprives New Zealand of a live‑match simulation against a top‑side. It means they have one fewer chance to test combinations and gauge player form before the World Cup, putting extra pressure on the remaining two fixtures to fine‑tune their squad.
Which players missed the first T20I for New Zealand and why?
Fast‑bowling all‑rounder Finn Allen (hamstring strain), seam‑bowler Glenn Phillips (shoulder injury) and swing specialist Lockie Ferguson (back problem) were all ruled out, leaving a noticeable gap in New Zealand’s pace attack.
What was England’s total after 20 overs and who were the top contributors?
England posted 153/6. The innings was anchored by Sam Curran with an unbeaten 49, supported by a quick‑fire 32 from Jos Buttler and a brisk 24 by Tom Banton.
When and where will the remaining T20Is be played?
The second match is set for 20 October 2025 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The series decider will be on 23 October 2025 at Eden Park in Auckland.
Will the rain‑affected first game impact broadcast plans?
Broadcasters including Sony Sports TEN Network, Sony Liv, FANCODE and Prime Video will still air the remaining games live, but the abandoned match will be shown as highlights only, with commentary recaps filling the slot.