Jonny Bairstow stars as England kick-off New Zealand tour with warm-up win

Eoin Morgan's men claim a six-wicket success in Lincoln ahead of the five-match T20 series with the Kiwis

Jonny Bairstow put aside his Test blues to lead England to victory in the opening match of their tour of New Zealand.

In the first of two warm-up games against a Kiwi XI ahead of the five-match T20 series, Eoin Morgan's men claimed a six-wicket win.

The hosts were restricted to 172 for 4 from their 20 overs with Anton Devcich scoring 62 from 43 delivers and Anaru Kitchen a fifty from 36 balls. Adil Rashid was England's stand-out bowler, taking 2-25 but Joe Denly was badly punished, going for 30 from his three overs.

Though the returning Lockie Ferguson took three wickets, the tourists encountered few problems chasing down the target, doing so with 11 balls to spare.

Bairstow hit six fours and a quartet of maximums on his way to scoring 78 from 45 balls, while newly-installed vice-captain Sam Billings and Sam Curran both scored 28.

Following a troubling Ashes series which led to him losing his place in the Test side, it was a welcome performance from Bairstow who will hope to use the T20 series to bat his way back into form.

"I'm on this tour to naturally score as many runs as possible," he said. "That's what's going to be the key to winning games of cricket.

"Selection is gone now. I've got some things to work on, I'm working very hard and I'm really enjoying that challenge."

England face a New Zealand XI in their final warm-up game before the 20-over series gets underway on November 1 in Christchurch.

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