Records tumble as Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan break loose against Kiwis

While Eoin Morgan missed out from his maiden T20I century by just nine runs, his partner Dawid Malan remained unbeaten at 103 from 51 balls. 

England skipper Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan left the Kiwis frustrated as the duo added 182 in just 74 deliveries for the third wicket to help the visitors post a gigantic 241/3 on the board in the fourth T20I. While the English skipper, who led the unit to their first-ever World Cup trophy, missed out from his maiden T20I century by just nine runs, his partner remained unbeaten at 103 from 51 balls.

In the course, the duo tumbled past several records as they stitched the highest T20I stand for the third wicket by any pair. The previous record was held by Morgan and Alex Hales, who had together accumulated 152 against Sri Lanka in 2014. This was also England’s highest partnership for any wicket.

While helping England post their highest ever T20I total, Morgan became the fastest English cricketer to complete a half-century in the shortest format of the game. The English skipper reached this milestone in style as he slammed rival captain Tim Southee for back to back boundaries and edge past the 50-run mark in just 21 deliveries. The previous record was held by Jos Buttler who reached the fifty mark from 22 deliveries.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Malan scored the fastest T20I hundred for England. He reached the three-figure mark in just 48 deliveries and his splendid innings included nine boundaries and six maximums. Alex Hales held the previous record. Hales reached the three-figures from 60 deliveries. Malan is also the second English batsman to hit a T20I century.

In response to England’s 241, the hosts started off with positive intent, however, they lost the rhythm in the last two powerplay overs.

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