Salt and Brook showed the world Christchurch in a spectacular show of force and accuracy as England ruthlessly trounced New Zealand 65 runs up opening the 3-match series by a 1-0 margin. Their 129-run partnership was the core or center of an all-time high total that stunned the hosts and reasserted the power of the white ball in the hands of England.

The innings of England in Hagley Oval was quite a spectacle as they scored 236-4 a fifth highest T20 score and the highest score ever made in this field. Sparkling Phil Salt, first in action since September when he made 85 out of 56 balls, opened the tone with an assailant 85, and Harry Brook, the skipper, gave a performance on the white ball unlike anything he had done before, driving 78 out of 35 balls. The two in concert shattered the bowling attack of New Zealand taking advantage of each loose ball and capitalizing on each lapsed opportunity.

The alliance between Salt and Brook followed initial aggression by Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell who contributed to launching England with an early flying start by quick undertakings. Both plunged low and the middle order had a platform due to their momentum. Then the storm Salt burying himself with premeditated violence, Brook showering his strength. Among them, they hit five sixes and 16 boundaries, and flew through the gears easily. It only punctuated their misfortunes, with the fielding in New Zealand becoming involved in a sitter at long-on that Neesham spilled at a cost in the form of Brook turning what was succeeded by a strong opening into an innings to prove the match to the world.

But it was not only about limits and lost opportunities. The most prominent thing was the intention of England. As captain of the side, Brook kept the side composed and on track. His choice of shots was tough but majestic, five high sixes, all clean hits over mid-wicket, three of Jos but one each to Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. Brook interpreted conditions properly in a pitch that was immersed in the first T20 which was washed off. Out there it was nice, said he afterwards. On the one hand, I could have panicked like Phil and could have been playing with the field, and on the other, I could have put them in pressure.

Meanwhile Salt maintained his red hot streak. This was the third score in a row with 89 against Ireland and 141 against South Africa in the previous seasons which was emphasized by his 85 here. He was classic T20 cricketer the one that made use of the pace, gaps and turned around the strike as well as punished the width. In his 11 fours and one six in his innings, he showed that the right place, and the right time, can be just as ruinous as pure physical power. Neither of the batsmen survived the 18 th over, yet they managed to establish a total that made New Zealand gape.

The 12 ball 29 by Tom Banton made England finish on a high and their total score was far much above the earlier record in the venue (208-5). It was already getting the feeling that the contest was going out of the hands of the hosts in the halfway stage.

New Zealand had an uphill task when they started their pursuit, and they had to have enough T20 to achieve victory. The Black Caps began fairly well and had 87-2 after nine overs courtesy of Tim Seifert, who liked to play in an easy and fluent fashion, and Mark Chapman, whose stroke play is aggressive. However when Adil Rashid entered the attack the tide was decisively turned. The leg spinner was superb with 4-32 and all the chances of a late charge destroyed. The middle order was fooled by his variations and Liam Dawson made elemental lines with his 2-38 although one was costly.

The initial salvo by Brydon Carse also contributed to the atmosphere with him getting rid of Tim Robinson at the top and putting Rachin Ravindra back on the cheap. The speed and precision with which Carse pursued, prevented the chase from having rhythm. Sloppiness by the New Zealand and the discipline imposed by the England led to them being bowled out finally at 171 in 18 overs.

Their doom was brought about by fielding which is common in New Zealand cricket. Other than the drop by Neesham, Seifert had missed a hard ball on Bethell and the hosts had grassed two catches in the preceding aborted game too. England in contrast were virtually perfect at the field where they retained 10 catches out of which 8 were in their deepest position in the outfield. The disparity in the performance of the two sides could hardly have been more evident.

It was a statement performance not only as a batsman, but as a leader in the case of Brook. He had prior to the series brushed off discussions about the upcoming Ashes saying that he was focused on the T20 World Cup in February. In case this innings was any pointer to it the English will go to that tournament with a captain full of confidence in them. It is just unbelievable to take another 10 wickets and perform so well as a whole; that is what Brook said at the end of the match.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and admitted the difference in quality. Another challenge is stopping T20 cricket when you have a 100-run stand he has admitted. And England to the short hit to the short, and twos to the long and not to settle boys.

England have now won 10 of their past 12, T20 internationals and the manner of this victory is ruthless batting, sharp fielding, and controlled bowling . This reinforces their status as one of the most complete white ball teams in the world.

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