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Live Commentary: New Zealand vs. England first T20 - as it happened

Live text coverage of the Twenty20 clash between New Zealand and England in Auckland.
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The three-match Twenty20 series between New Zealand and England started in Auckland on Saturday morning, with both sides desperate for a victory.

The tourists batted first on a good pitch and took full advantage as the top six batsman all made contributions to post 214-7, a new record score for England in the format.

New Zealand struggled in their reply to the intimidating total and captain Stuart Broad ended with figures of 4-24 to restrict the hosts to 174-9.

Read below to see how the drama unfolded in Auckland.


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There's been some gremlins in our system this morning and we've opened a new page to take you through to the end of play.

WICKET! Franklin (8) c Buttler b Broad

Franklin backs away but Broad follows him to find an edge, allowing Buttler to take a simple catch.

Ellis and McCullum share three singles early in Wright's over. The former sends a pull shot high into the air but the ball drops just short of Bairstow, who was rushing in from deep mid-wicket.

WICKET! McCullum (3) c Buttler b Wright

The short ball works again as McCullum attempts to smash Wright out of the ground. Buttler takes the catch and the result looks certain now. Hira is the new batsman but it's Ellis who adds a single from the final ball.

WICKET! Ellis (4) c Wright b Finn

Finn has his third wicket as Ellis, reaching for the ball, gives Wright the opportunity to take a simple catch at point.

Hira steers the ball through the off-side to collect four runs before fending off a sharp bouncer from Finn. A big shot follows and substitute Root takes the catch in the deep. However, replays prove he stepped on the rope and Hira has six runs instead. Despite that moment, England have been superb in the field. 12 runs from the over and Finn finishes with 3-39.

Dernbach returns to bowl the 18th over and his variations looks to be confusing the tail-end batsmen. However, an outside edge brings Hira four runs to frustrate Dernbach. Eight from the over, New Zealand need 60 from 12 balls.

WICKET! Boult (4) c Patel b Broad

Hira's single brings Boult on strike but he gifts a catch to Patel on the off-side after trying to make room for himself at the crease. Broad now has four wickets.

McClenaghan is the new batsman and he shares three singles with Hira at the end of the over. Superb from Broad, who ends with figures of 4-24.

Dernbach punishes McClenaghan for attempting a reverse sweep by hitting him in the stomach. A brilliant bouncer follows but the ball races to the boundary after striking the shoulder of the batsman. The switch hit comes out again but McClenaghan gets it right this time to earn four runs. There's a bit of tension out in the middle when Dernbach delivers a beamer, conceding five in total.

ENGLAND WIN BY 40 RUNS

Great victory for the tourists and they take a 1-0 lead in this three-match series. England took advantage of a good pitch and batted superbly, with broad leading the bowling attack superbly.

New Zealand had chances to make this a closer game but in truth, they just haven't played well. The inquest will begin ahead of Tuesday's second game and make sure you join us for coverage of that game.

That's all we have time for today, thanks for joining me and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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