Jonny Bairstow eyes T20 World Cup, hopes to replicate ODI success

England's wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has hinted at kick-start of the team's preparations for the T20 World Cup next year in Australia with the upcoming series against New Zealand. England will be facing New Zealand in five T20s starting from November 1. Jonny Bairstow, who played a match-winning knock of 78 runs in the first warm-up game against New Zealand XI, believes that the team's preparations for the T20 World cup will commence with the tour of New Zealand. England won the first warm-up game against New Zealand XI by six wickets while they lost the second warm-up game on Tuesday. 

READ | Ajinkya Rahane Resumes Training After Some 'quality Time With Family'

Jonny Bairstow eyes T20 World Cup next

The England batsman's unbeaten 78-run knock came off 45 deliveries including six fours and four sixes. Jonny Bairstow believes that the team's journey towards the T20 World Cup will begin from New Zealand's tour and hoped that the team could replicate their World Cup success in the shortest format of the game as well. Jonny Bairstow said that the cycle for the 50-over World Cup had begun over four years ago and hoped to do well in the T20s after tasting success in the ODIs. Talking about being a part of talented player, Jonny Bairstow heaped praise on his England teammates and said that there were a lot of experienced and talented players in the squad and that they shared the experiences of ups and downs together as a team. 

READ | Jasprit Bumrah Hints At Comeback With A Picture, Says "Coming Soon"

Colin Munro's quickfire 107 off 57 balls

New Zealand's Colin Munro smashed an unbeaten 107 run-knock as New Zealand XI cruised to a victory against England in the second warm-up T20 game on Tuesday. Colin Munro's quickfire knock came off just 57 deliveries and was studded with nine fours and seven sixes. Chasing a target of 189 runs, New Zealand comfortably completed their run-chase in 18.3 overs with Colin Munro and Anari Kitchen standing unbeaten with scores of 107 runs and 48 runs respectively. Colin Munro's display of fireworks comes days ahead of New Zealand's first T20 against England. England takes on New Zealand in five T20s starting from November 1. 

READ | Shakib Likely To Face Ban For Not Reporting An Approach From Bookie

New Zealand vs England T20Is: Tim Southee to lead the side 

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be missing the T20I series against England due to a hip injury. Tim Southee was named as captain in his absence. Pacer Trent Boult has also been omitted for the first three of five T20Is, in order to focus on his Test preparations. Although Williamson played in the Plunket Shield this week for Northern Districts, after discussions with coach Gary Stead it was decided that resting him was the best option. Tim Southee had earlier led New Zealand to a 2-1 victory in the T20Is against Sri Lanka after Kane Williamson was rested from that leg of the tour. Apart from Northern Districts' game against Canterbury, in which he batted once and scored 26, Kane Williamson has not played since the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August.

READ | Mohammad Hafeez Expresses Shock Over Unfair Treatment From Selectors