England white-ball captain Harry Brook has remained positive despite a weather-ravaged T20I series against New Zealand, which concluded today with the abandonment of the third match in Auckland.
The washout handed England a 1-0 series victory following the washout of the opener, but Brook insisted the trip was successful due to the crucial team cohesion built off the field.
With only one full match played, England achieved a dominant victory in the second T20I. T
The series provided limited competitive match practice, but Brook believes the experience off the pitch was invaluable ahead of the T20 World Cup and the looming Ashes.
Frustration tempered by team morale
“The rain has been very frustrating, obviously,” Brook admitted after the final abandonment.
“You don't want to come all the way over to this part of the world and only play one game.”
Despite the lack of sustained on-field action, the captain maintained that the trip served a necessary purpose for team building ahead of a packed winter schedule.
He singled out the time spent together before the games commenced as a key benefit.
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“We've had a lot of fun and smiles. It's been very worthwhile,” Brook added.
“We've gained a lot. We had that trip at the start of the series where we went down to Queenstown and had a team bonding few days.
"We spent a few days together, the white-ball squad has never had that, so to be able to spend time together and try to become good mates... Can only help you on the field.”
Focus shifts to the T20 World Cup
Brook also framed the New Zealand trip as a vital stepping stone for the ICC T20 World Cup early next year, rather than a direct Ashes rehearsal.
He confirmed the team’s focus remains on the shortest format’s major event: “We are building up towards that [the T20 World Cup] and this (tour) can be a great stepping stone for that...
"We are not going to take any team lightly. No matter who we are playing against, we are going to go full throttle at everyone.”
With the T20I series complete, England now turns its attention to the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps, which begins this coming Sunday.
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