Match: 2nd T20I, England tour of New Zealand
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Time: 7:15 PM local time
Series Score: 0-0 (1st T20I washed out by rain)
Toss: Not known yet
What Happened in the 1st T20I?
Rain ruined the first T20I at Hagley Oval. England batted first and scored 153/6 in their 20 overs. Sam Curran played well and scored 49 runs without getting out. But heavy rain came before New Zealand could bat, so the match was called off.
All six New Zealand bowlers took one wicket each on a green pitch that helped fast bowlers. Now both teams get another chance at the same ground.
Expected Playing XIs
New Zealand Likely Team
(Source: ESPNcricinfo, Sportscafe)
Both teams will probably use the same players from the first match. Here’s New Zealand’s likely team:
- Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tim Robinson
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Michael Bracewell
- James Neesham
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Kyle Jamieson
- Matt Henry
- Jacob Duffy
England Likely Team
(Source: ESPNcricinfo, Sportscafe)
England should also keep the same team:
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper)
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook (captain)
- Tom Banton
- Sam Curran
- Jordan Cox
- Brydon Carse
- Liam Dawson
- Adil Rashid
- Luke Wood
Players to Watch
| Role | New Zealand | England |
|---|---|---|
| Top Batter | Rachin Ravindra – Just back from injury, opens the batting | Phil Salt – Recently scored 104 vs South Africa, very dangerous |
| Key Batter | Daryl Mitchell – Experienced player who steadies the middle order | Jos Buttler – Former captain with lots of experience and power |
| Best Bowler | Jacob Duffy – In great form with 30 wickets recently | Sam Curran – Showed his skills with bat in first match, important all-rounder |
| Spin Star | Mitchell Santner – Captain and clever left-arm spinner | Adil Rashid – Experienced leg-spinner who controls the middle overs |
Alt Text for Player Images:
- Rachin Ravindra batting for New Zealand in T20I cricket
- Phil Salt batting for England in white-ball cricket
- Jacob Duffy bowling for New Zealand
- Sam Curran bowling for England in T20 match
Pitch & Weather Report
Hagley Oval Pitch
The pitch should be good for batting but will help fast bowlers early on. There’s grass on the surface, so the ball might move around under the lights. Later in the game, dew (moisture) could make it easier for the team batting second. The pitch is firm and should be fair for both bat and ball.
Weather Forecast
Christchurch will be cool on Monday with temperatures around 21°C. There will be a light breeze in the evening. Good news – no rain is expected for this match, unlike the first game.
What to Expect
New Zealand really need a win. They lost both matches against Australia earlier this month and now have four T20Is without a win. Playing at home should help them. Their fast bowlers – Duffy, Henry, and Jamieson – are strong and know these conditions well.
England are playing with confidence. They recently scored a massive 304 runs against South Africa. But in the first T20I here, their batters found the conditions tricky. Captain Harry Brook needs to lead from the middle order.
With clear weather expected, we should see a full match. Hagley Oval has small boundaries, so expect lots of big hits. The pitch will help bowlers under lights, making it an exciting contest.
Prediction: If England bat first and adjust to the pitch better, they could score 170 or more. New Zealand’s bowling attack is strong at home, so they have a slight advantage. Expect a close game – New Zealand might win by 10-15 runs if they chase, or they’ll defend any score above 165.