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The English T20 contest against New Zealand ended exactly how it started, due to rain. On a previously dry day, the elements played tricks. Rain first intervened at 7.17pm, two minutes after play commenced. After a brief resumption, it came back, halted, gave the ground staff a bit of time to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a late restart, and then fell once again at just before 10. Only 25 deliveries occurred.

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

Officially, the English side called correctly and chose to bowl. The initial overs went for four, struck by Seifert—a tantalising glimpse of the scoring potential a mix of a placid wicket, strong winds, and the small boundaries might have produced.

The final balls cleared the ropes, the batters sending it into the crowd. New Zealand stood at 38 for one, off 3.4 overs, as the match was called off.

For all his frustration, Brook at least has three ODIs to come, but a trio of this England squad won't continue when play shifts to Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Crawley will stay in New Zealand to continue his Ashes preparations while Salt and Jordan Cox (18) head home.

This Friday is the one-year mark of Cox's exclusion from the Test matches in New Zealand with a thumb fracture from practice. He likely hopes his luck in New Zealand would be as unpredictable as the weather.

This was the first time an international had been attempted in the city in this month and neatly illustrated why. "I suppose this time of year rain is always a potential," commented Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. "We always enjoy to face England no matter what time of year. The issue being that they were often scheduled to play England without actually playing."

The tourists managed to secure one victory, thereby winning the series, and Brook’s analysis of it was equally positive as whoever scheduled it: "We’ve had great enjoyment," he remarked. "It was very beneficial. Spending time together and build camaraderie surely aids you during games. We enjoyed ourselves and smiles. It was truly valuable."