ENG VS NZ - 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of England, 2023

So we had three pretty one-sided international games today. Pakistan thrashed Nepal in the first game of Asia Cup earlier in the day, Australia thumped South Africa just an hour ago and England have managed to beat NZ nonchalantly in this contest. We'll be back tomorrow with some more live action. For now, it's a goodbye from our side. Good night!

Jos Buttler: It was a really good performance, delighted. I think Allen hit three sixes, but we came back strong after that, it was a brilliant effort from our bowlers. I thought Carse bowled with great skill. He stood up and took his chance. He (Malan) is a class player, and he has been since a long period of time. He has shown great form in 50-over format for us. He (Livingstone) bowled brilliantly, can contribute with the bat, ball and in the field, gold dust in this format. Moeen and Rashid bowled really well too.

Tim Southee: Not our best effort, but we got a couple of days to turn things around. Looking to assist the conditions, but we couldn't do it today. Phillips has been phenonemal for us. He finds ways to score runs for us, he has been doing that since a long time.

Brydone Carse, PoTM: A great start to my T20 career, awesome to play in front of a home crowd and put in a good performance. I just tried to hit the top of the stumps and tonight it paid off. Sometimes it can be a bit two paced. Some balls skidded through and some balls stick in, but it was a nice wicket. I had a lot of friends who came and supported me tonight. I have managed to keep my seat in the dressing room (laughs).

20:56 Local Time, 19:56 GMT, 01:26 IST: A comfortable victory for England as they go 1-0 up in the 4-match T20I series. The hosts elected to bowl first after winning the toss, and although Finn Allen struck a hat-trick of sixes early in the innings, England's bowlers didn't allow the NZ batters to capitalize on that quick start. Luke Wood took a couple of wickets in quick succession and snatched the momentum in England's favour following those sixes he conceded. NZ's middle-order batter - Glenn Phillips played a brave knock, but Wood dismissed him as well and NZ kept losing wickets at regular intervals thereafter. Carse claimed three wickets and was economical on his T20I debut as NZ finished with a mediocre total of 139/9. In reply, Bairstow departed early, however, Malan and Jacks had a fine partnership in the powerplay to set the foundation of the run chase. Brook walked in next and along with Malan, he added 54 runs for the third wicket before the latter departed. Anyway, it was a target that was never going to challenge England as the hosts got over the line in 14 overs, winning the game by 7 wickets.

Milne to Livingstone, SIX, Livingstone finishes things off in style! A short ball by Milne and this has been pulled over deep backward square leg as the ball sails way back into the stands. Fireworks go up at Chester-le-Street as the home team wins. The players start walking back and it has been a clinical performance by England

Milne to Harry Brook, 1 run, on a length outside off, Harry Brook steers this through point for a single

Milne to Harry Brook, FOUR, just hits the cushions on the bounce. Was pitched up by Milne and Brook thumps it over the bowler as the ball hits the cushion on the bounce. Looked like a six for a moment, but wasn't to be

Milne to Harry Brook, FOUR, short of a length on middle and leg, Harry Brook whips this through mid-wicket and adds four more to the tally. They are within touching distance of an emphatic win

Milne to Harry Brook, no run, on a length around middle and leg, clipped to mid-wicket by Harry Brook

Milne to Harry Brook, no run, short of a length around off, Harry Brook defends it with soft hands and the ball lobs just over the stumps

Adam Milne [2.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack

Ferguson to Harry Brook, 1 run, short and slow on leg, Harry Brook goes for a pull, gets an edge towards fine leg

Ferguson to Harry Brook, 2 runs, drifting on the pads, Harry Brook flicks it towards fine leg and calls for two. The throw comes in at the keeper's end who takes off the bails, but Brooks' dive saves him

Ferguson to Livingstone, 1 run, touch fuller around off, Livingstone drives it to wide mid-off for a single

Ferguson to Harry Brook, 1 run, full toss on middle and leg, a slower delivery that has been heaved to fine leg for a single

Ferguson to Harry Brook, no ball, 2 runs, poor bowling. Another free hit as Ferguson oversteps this time around. Was a shortish delivery on leg and Harry Brook flicked it to fine leg for a brace

Ferguson to Livingstone, no ball, 1 run, a high full toss on leg, Livingstone tucks it through square leg for a single. Free hit coming up! Wasn't that high, maybe just below the waist, but it was Livingstone's grunt that probably deceived the umpire

Ferguson to Livingstone, 2 runs, short and quick on leg, Livingstone looks to fend it away, but gets a glove towards fine leg where the fielder stops it with a fine effort

Liam Livingstone, right handed bat, comes to the crease