Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium witnessed England’s spinners cast a spell on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. Batting first after skipper Mitchell Santner called correctly at the toss, the Kiwis limped to 159 for 7, thanks to a masterful display by England’s slow bowlers.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert laid a strong foundation with 64 runs in 6.6 overs. Allen’s aggressive 29 off 19 set the tone, complemented by Seifert’s 35 from 25, featuring powerful strokes. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as England’s spinners took control.
Rehan Ahmed struck early, dismissing Rachin Ravindra for 11. Mark Chapman (15 off 9) and Daryl Mitchell followed suit, unable to handle the guile of Adil Rashid and Will Jacks. Glenn Phillips fought valiantly for 39 runs with elegant boundaries, but Cole McConchie’s 14 and Santner’s unbeaten 9 couldn’t push the score higher.
Jacks was outstanding with 2 wickets for 23 runs in four overs, while Ahmed (2/28) and Rashid (2/28) shared the spoils. Harry Brook’s men, including Buttler behind the stumps, Curran, Archer, and Dawson, are favorites to chase this down.
New Zealand’s frequent wicket losses highlighted their vulnerability against spin on a turning track, a lesson from past encounters. England’s tactical acumen shone through, positioning them strongly in the Super 8 race.