England crush Black Caps in T20

England's Mark Wood celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Southee during the International Twenty20 cricket match between England and New Zealand. Photo / AP.

England have exerted the necessary pressure in a tight situation to crush New Zealand by 56 runs in the solitary Twenty20 international to complete the overall series between the two countries.

Led by an inspirational direct hit from David Willey to run out Kane Williamson for 57 from 37, the team being described as 'New England' again took the visitors' ODI World Cup style of game and tweaked it to their advantage. They damaged the visitors' burgeoning reputation in the process. New Zealand have been an outstanding side to watch in the test and ODI series. This looked a bridge too far.

In simple terms there is now too much reliance that Williamson, and to a lesser extent Ross Taylor, will deliver a platform which, in turn, automatically manifests victories.

Today was an example until Nathan McCullum scampered for a single first ball and Williamson wore the wrath of Willey's arm. The visitors were competing, but only because of Williamson's presence.

Colin Munro's second ball hoick across the line on one, Luke Ronchi's attempted fourth ball ramp on five, Tim Southee's laissez-faire slap to mid-off first ball and Nathan McCullum's air bound paddle on three off nine were all examples of awkward shots which let down New Zealand's cause, especially given the experience of the latter trio.

Compare that to Williamson who marched on playing strokes until the running glitch.

England held their nerve and New Zealand capitulated, losing five wickets for four runs from 1.5 overs to finish the job. Willey's two for 22 from 2.1, Ben Stokes' two for 24 off three and Mark Wood's three for 26 off three exemplified the hosts' bowling tenacity.

Introspection is required so New Zealand's batting game plan can avoid placing too much responsibility on too few before heading to Zimbabwe and South Africa.

New Zealand held parity early in the chase courtesy of McCullum's 35 off 15 but, when Taylor was caught at mid-off on 17 and the score was 89 for three in the ninth over, the game turned in England's favour.

Worst last 5 wickets collapses in a T20I:

0 runs (Aus v Pak, 2010)
2 runs (Sco v Ken, 2013)
3 runs (SL v Pak, 2011)
4 runs (NZ v Eng today)

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2015

The pitch looked a belter on a fine Manchester evening.

England went for their shots. The amount of fuel used to light flame throwers after any of the side's six sixes reminded of Cape Canaveral on launch day.

Regular wickets stymied the run flow although England had five remaining with 25 balls left.

Mitchell Santner was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 28, including nine dot balls. The delivery which bowled Jonny Bairstow was a candidate for pride of place on New Zealand's innings mantelpiece. The hero from the fifth ODI misjudged the line and it hit the top of middle stump.

Joe Root kept England's cadence high for the majority with 68 from 46 balls across a 14.2 over span. Mitchell McClenaghan, returning in what might now be considered his specialist form of cricket, sealed the No.3's demise with what appeared a slower bouncer. Root stretched and parried to Martin Guptill at deep cover. McClenaghan finished with figures of two for 37 from four overs.

A literal highlight of England's innings was the new orange shirt of their strip. Various descriptions of the hue were suggested from US prison overall apricot to tangelo trajectory to zesty mandarin.

One pondered what WG Grace might have made of the divergence from a more traditional red?

Regardless, it was an explosive start from England's phosphorus match heads Jason Roy (23 from 13) and Alex Hales (27 from 23). Roy was run out by a Williamson throw after Hales pushed a single to cover. Brendon McCullum made a running catch to extra cover look easy off Hales, giving Santner his first T20I wicket.

#Ford the driving force behind the Black Caps

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