Christchurch: Eoin Morgan-led England on Friday registred a comprehensive seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening match of three-match T20I series, here at the Hagley Oval.
Chasing a modest target of 154, England rode on a brilliant half-century from James Vince, who scored 59 off just 38 balls and helped his side go across the line with nine balls to spare.
Jonny Bairstow (34) and captain Eoin Morgan (34*) also made noticeable contributions and helped England take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Earlier electing to bowl, the visitors never allowed the Black Caps to score freely and kept on taking wickets at regular interval to keep a check on the run-rate. Ross Taylor and (44) and Daryl Mitchell (30) did try to take the hosts to a formidable total but were kept in check by the England bowlers.
England beat New Zealand by seven wickets in 1st T20I
Both the teams will now lock horns in the second match at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Sunday.
Chris Jordan was pick of the bowlers for Morgan as he gave away just 25 runs in his stipulated 4 overs and picked up crucial wickets of Colin Munro (21) and Tim Seifert (32). He was well supported by all the other four bowlers - Sam Curran (1/33), Tom Curran (0/25), Adil Rashid (1/31) and Patrick Brown (1/33).
The Three Lions started their chase cautiously as David Malan (11) and Bairstow played the ball on its merits and didn't try to go from the word go. Vince, who came after Malan's dismissal in the sixth over, however, played some beautiful shots and kept scoring boundaries (7) and sixes (2).
In the end, Morgan and Sam Bilings (14) shared an unbeaten 32-run stand and saw their team register a comfortable win.
For New Zealand, left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was the lone wicket-taker as he picked three wickets, giving away just 23 runs in his four overs. However, he didn't get enough support from his teammates.
Vince, in the end, was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Both the teams will now lock horns in the second match at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Sunday.
Brief scores: England 154/3 (James Vince 59, Eoin Morgan 34*; Mitchell Santner 3/23) beat New Zealand 153/5 (Ross Taylor 44, Daryl Mitchell 30; Chris Jordan 2/25) by seven wickets.