A lot will be at stake when England take on hosts New Zealand in the final league match of the Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series at Eden Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
Both sides will be looking for a win as they chase a spot in the finals against Australia who have been unbeaten in the entire series.
We look at the key talking points ahead of the crunch crash.
ENGLAND HAVE IT ALL TO DO
Despite both sides having been off colour in the series so far, it is England who have it all to do on Sunday after suffering three defeats in three so far. Eoin Morgan’s men have an inferior run-rate to the Blackcaps and will need to win in convincing fashion to stand any chance to qualify for the finals.
The English have a run-rate of -1.4 compared to the -0.7 of New Zealand, making their task on Sunday even more ardous. They have been given a lifeline by Australia’s stunning win over the hosts last time around and will need to seize the opportunity with a big win.
England need to win big on Sunday.
KIWIS IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS
Not too long ago, Kane Williamson’s men enjoyed top-dog status in the T20I format. However, an unlikely 2-1 defeat to Pakistan at home has been followed up by two defeats to the Australians in the ongoing series.
They were on the receiving end of the highest successful chase at the same venue two days ago, the scars of which will still be fresh when they take the field on Sunday. The home side are in a more comfortable position than England having won the previous meeting between the two but will know any slip up against them could prove far too costly.
The Kiwis will need to regroup quickly after the result against Australia.
ENGLAND GET MORGAN BOOST
England have had to do without the services of their regular captain for the entire series after he suffered a groin injury. It has seen Jos Buttler stand-in as the skipper in the matches so far. With Morgan now having recovered from his injury, the Englishmen will be bolstered by the return of their limited-overs stalwart in a match where equations will be extremely tight.
Ben Stokes has also arrived in New Zealand after pleading not guilty to affray charges but the all-rounder is likely to be saved for the ODI series after being out for so long.
Morgan was back in the nets after recovering from his groin injury.
RUNS TO FLOW ONCE AGAIN AT EDEN PARK
With its short boundaries, it was actually no surprise to see a score of 243 runs chased down successfully with seven balls to spare when Australia and New Zealand battled it out two days ago.
With conditions not changing much and a similar surface expected on Sunday, expect boundaries to flow once again in a tie between two sides filled with some big hitters.
Batsmen should be on top once again at the Eden Park.
