crease

Still, the addition of a right-handed shot and Kuzmenko’s physical presence in the crease could wake the flagging Kings’ offense.

Throughout the 26 overs the pair were together at the crease, New Zealand dictated proceedings.

Noor had stepped out from the crease before the end of the over had been called following the completion of a single.

Young had reached his fourth ODI hundred and departed before the late onslaught but the Black Caps could hardly have planned for a better situation than Phillips striding to the crease with 12.4 overs remaining.

How long England occupy the crease is another issue.