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McCullum plays pivotal innings in rain-ruined match
Captain Brendon McCullum played one of the most important six-ball knocks of his career to lead New Zealand to a nine-run win over England via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-marred World Twenty20 match on Saturday.
Chasing 173 for victory in Bangladesh, McCullum hit two sixes off rival skipper Stuart Broad in the fifth over before the heavens opened and his team were left on 52 for one after 5.2 overs.
No further cricket was possible and because Duckworth-Lewis only comes into play in Twenty20 when five overs are bowled by each team, the Kiwi's innings proved vital.
England had good reason to feel unlucky after Moeen Ali and Michael Lumb featured in a 72-run stand for the second wicket and, down the order, Jos Buttler chipped in with a cheeky cameo to help them to 172 for six at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
New Zealand lost opener Martin Guptill for 11 in the third over but McCullum greeted Broad's arrival with two sixes and a four in the all-rounder's opening over.
McCullum finished 16 not out off six balls while Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 24.
"The game was evenly poised," McCullum said.
"It's frustrating to finish like that. I think both teams will be pleased with their performances."