Phil Salt and Harry Brook combined to demolish New Zealand in the second T20I, as England claimed a commanding 65-run victory in Christchurch to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Salt hit 85 off 56 balls and Brook managed an explosive 78 from 35, with the pair also forming a devastating 129-run partnership off just 69 deliveries.

England posted a score of 236-4, setting a new T20I record at Hagley Oval having surpassed the previous best of 208 with 10 balls to spare. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 171 in the 18th over.

Brook dominated, scoring 54 runs from boundaries alone, including five sixes, two of which cleared the ground, before Kyle Jamieson (2-47) managed to dismiss both Brook and Salt in quick succession. Tom Banton’s unbeaten 29 from 12 deliveries provided a record-breaking finish to England’s innings.

With the Black Caps chasing a daunting target of 237, Brydon Carse (2-27) struck twice in the second over to dent New Zealand’s hopes.

Tim Seifert (39) and Mark Chapman (28) responded with a lively 69-run stand, but their dismissals, by Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson respectively, effectively ended the contest.

Captain Mitchell Santner offered some late resistance with 36 off 15, only to fall to Rashid’s final ball, the legspinner finishing with figures of 4-32.

Luke Wood wrapped up the win in the 18th over by claiming two wickets in four balls, with all 10 Kiwi dismissals taken as catches.

Hitting doesn't get much more brutal than that! @Harry_Brook_88 @PhilSalt1 pic.twitter.com/BuvHIAQjaD

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 20, 2025

Data Debrief: England on course for another series win

England's victory means they are on course to win back-to-back T20I series in New Zealand, and remain unbeaten against the Kiwis in the format since 2013. 

Brook and Salt's 129-run partnership ensured that England attained the highest IT20 score ever recorded at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. 

Salt's score was his eighth-best in the format and his third-highest this year, having scored 141 versus South Africa and 89 against Ireland, both in September.