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The English T20 contest versus New Zealand ended exactly how it started, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the elements teased and taunted. Rain first intervened at evening, moments following the match began. After a brief resumption, it returned, paused, gave the ground staff a bit of time to mop up, let officials plan a late restart, and then fell once again at just before 10. Twenty-five balls were bowled.

"You don’t want to come such a distance to this part of the world and have just one match," Harry Brook said. "Extremely annoying."

Officially, England won the toss and opted to field. Two of the first three deliveries yielded boundaries, both hit by Tim Seifert—a brief preview of the run-scoring a mix of a placid wicket, a wild wind, and the small boundaries might have produced.

Two of the last three deliveries went for six, Rachin Ravindra and Seifert pulling into the stands. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, from 3.4 overs, when the game officially ended.

For all his frustration, Brook at least has three one-day internationals to come, but three members of the touring party will no longer be involved once the action moves to the Bay Oval on the weekend. Zak Crawley (no balls faced) remains in NZ to continue his Ashes preparations while Phil Salt (60 balls faced) and Cox return home.

This Friday is the first anniversary of Cox's exclusion from the Test matches in New Zealand with a thumb fracture from practice. He likely hopes his fortune in New Zealand would be as unpredictable as local conditions.

It marked the initial attempt an international had been attempted in the city in October and clearly showed the reason. "I guess this time of year rain is always a potential," said skipper Santner. "It’s always nice to face England no matter what time of year. The issue being that they were often they were supposed to be playing England without actually playing."

The tourists managed to secure a single win, thereby winning the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was as optimistic as whoever scheduled it: "We’ve had great enjoyment," he remarked. "We’ve gained a lot. Spending time together and build camaraderie can only help you on the field. We’ve had a lot of fun and smiles. It was truly valuable."