DRAW BLIMEY

Bairstow blitz in vain as Kiwis level series

- DEAN WILSON

ENGLAND coughed up a 2-0 lead against New Zealand to square the four-match T20 series 2-2 after another one-sided contest.

The home side frittered away the lightning start given to them by Jonny Bairstow with the bat to post an under par 175-8 that was easily overhauled with 16 balls to spare.

And with Bairstow failing to appear on the field due to pain in his right shoulder, it capped off an underwhelming few days for the world champions.

Management are said not to be too worried about Bairstow's shoulder but on the eve of a World Cup it is a concern that the player of the series has a different part of his body causing him discomfort rather than his left leg.