Adil Rashid was pleased to make a positive start to England’s ICC World Twenty20 campaign – on both a personal and a collective note.
The leg-spinner took 3-15 as England reeled New Zealand in from a flying start to restrict the Black Caps to 169 for eight.
Jason Roy then walloped a quick fifty, before contributions from Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler saw England home with six wickets and four balls to spare.
Rashid’s match-changing display comes after an impressive winter, during which he starred in Australia’s Big Bash League.
And now the 28-year-old hopes to makes his mark at an international tournament in what are expected to be favourable conditions for spin.
“It was pretty important for us, we look to win every game whether it’s a warm-up or not. We always want to play at 100 per cent and this was a good workout,” he said.
“If you’ve got a spinning wicket you’ve still got to execute your skills and bowl your variations.
“These are different conditions that we’ve got to adapt to. In India you’ve got to adjust your lines and lengths and field placings.
“That’s why we have these games, to practice that.
Solid win from the lads today. Good to take some momentum into the comp. #ENG #WT20 pic.twitter.com/CDRPXmc8Dh
— liam dawson (@daws128) March 12, 2016
“But it all depends on the day and who you come up against, there’s different circumstances and either way you’ve got to do what you do.”
Rashid was also pleased to see Surrey opener Roy send out a notice of intent ahead of England’s tournament opener against West Indies on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old has yet to make a half-century in a T20 International, but looked in good touch as he hit seven fours and two sixes in a 36-ball knock.
“Jason is an explosive player and hopefully this innings will give him plenty of confidence heading into the tournament,” said Rashid.
“Getting off to a good start in Twenty20 is crucial, and he can do that.”
Source: ECB