That's seven losses in seven in Twenty20 for New Zealand and a thoroughly professional performance in every department for England. New Zealand, however, looked rusty and well off the pace. Losing by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare is a heavy defeat in this format. "You couldn't ask for anything better," says Pietersen, who finished on 42 not out. "There's a pretty important game going on in Antigua so you want to make sure you get a red inker to cement your place in the team," he grins.

New Zealand will take solace from the winter where they lost the Twenty20 and bounced back well in the ODI series. They have 38 hours to gather themselves as the first ODI at the Riverside is on Sunday. Join us then for all the fun, frolics and dull middle overs of the 50-over game. From Jenny Roesler and Martin Williamson, goodnight.

The news is that Oram is a doubt for Sunday with a hamstring twang.