Neesham, Guptill fire New Zealand to 176 against England

A rampant Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill carried New Zealand to a competitive 176 for eight after being sent into bat first in the second Twenty20 international against England in Wellington on Sunday.

Guptill, at the top of the innings clouted 41 off 21 deliveries, while Neesham moved the scoreboard with 42 off 22 balls, including four sixes, before he was removed on the final ball of the innings.

With New Zealand pushing to square the series after losing game one by seven wickets, Colin de Grandhomme blasted three sixes in his impressive 28 from only 12 balls while Ross Taylor chimed in with 28 but at a slower scoring rate.

After Guptill and de Grandhomme's lusty hitting, New Zealand reached the halfway stage at 96 for three, but tight bowling from Sam Curran and Chris Jordan put the brakes on scoring as the innings wore on.

Jordan returned figures of three for 23 while Curran took two for 22.

The cluster of newcomers in the England ranks had mixed fortunes with the ball and six ..