England Crush New Zealand by 65 Runs | 2nd T20I Highlights 2025 | ENG Lead 2–0

Author: Mike Micheal

Match Overview

Date: October 20, 2025

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Result: England won by 65 runs

Series: England lead 2–0 in the five-match T20I series

England continued their outstanding T20 form, crushing New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 International at Christchurch. With Phil Salt leading the batting charge and Adil Rashid spinning magic with the ball, England dominated both departments to extend their series lead to 2–0.

England’s Explosive Batting

After winning the toss, England opted to bat first — a decision that paid off handsomely.

Phil Salt produced a batting masterclass, smashing 85 off 47 balls, supported by Harry Brook’s rapid 78 off 35. The duo’s fiery partnership propelled England to a mammoth 236/4 in 20 overs — their highest T20I total ever recorded in New Zealand.

England Innings Summary PlayerRuns Balls 4s 6s Strike RatePhil Salt85 47 8 5 180.85Harry Brook78 356 5 222.85Jos Buttler38 254 2 152.00

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with even senior pacers like Tim Southee and Trent Boult going for over 10 runs an over.

New Zealand’s Chase Falters

Chasing 237 was always going to be a tall order, and despite a positive start from Finn Allen (31) and Devon Conway (28), the hosts quickly lost momentum. England’s bowlers applied relentless pressure, forcing mistakes and collapsing the Kiwi middle order.

Glenn Phillips (40 off 24) was the only batter to resist, but New Zealand were bowled out for 171 in 18.3 overs.

Adil Rashid – England’s Spin Wizard

England’s bowling attack was sharp, disciplined, and varied. Leading the charge was Adil Rashid, who picked up 4 wickets for 32 runs with his deceptive leg-spin. His ability to break partnerships at crucial moments proved decisive.

Bowling Highlights BowlerOversWicketsRunsEconomyAdil Rashid44328.00Reece Topley3.32257.14Jofra Archer41287.00

Rashid’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Post-Match Reactions

Jos Buttler (England Captain):

"It was a complete team effort. Phil Salt’s aggression set the tone, and Rashid’s control in the middle overs made all the difference."

Kane Williamson (New Zealand Captain):

"We started strong, but England outplayed us in key moments. We’ll regroup for the next match."

Series Summary MatchVenueResult1st T20IAucklandEngland won by 4 wickets2nd T20IChristchurchEngland won by 65 runs3rd T20IWellingtonUpcoming – October 23, 2025

England now lead 2–0, just one win away from clinching the five-match series.

Key Match Takeaways

  • Phil Salt’s 85 was a match-winning innings filled with clean hitting.

  • Harry Brook’s 78 provided perfect middle-order acceleration.

  • Adil Rashid’s 4/32 spun the game in England’s favor.

  • England’s fielding and bowling execution were world-class.

  • England lead 2–0 heading into the Wellington T20I.

Tactical Analysis

England’s game plan combined aggressive powerplay hitting with clever bowling rotations. Their use of Rashid in the middle overs and Topley at the death exemplified smart T20 tactics.

The balance between attack and control has become England’s biggest weapon, making them one of the most dominant white-ball sides in world cricket.

What’s Next?

The third T20I in Wellington (October 23, 2025) will see England eyeing a series win, while New Zealand will fight to stay alive. Expect another high-scoring encounter between these top-tier teams.

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