New Zealand picked up their first points in the Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series with a 12-run victory over England at Wellington on Tuesday.

Both teams came into the game without a point on the board and it was the Kiwis who came out on top after putting up 196-5 batting first. In a close chase where England were on track throughout, the hosts ultimately restricted them to 184-9 to make it three losses in as many games for the visitors.

New Zealand are now firmly on track to play Australia in the final of the competition on February 21.

We look at the things we learnt from a high-scoring affair at Wellington.

THE GOOD

KANE WILLIAMSON MAKES ENGLAND PAY

The New Zealand skipper had been pretty out of form coming into the match with many even questioning his place in the T20I side. He was given a reprieve before he had even opened his account by England pacer Mark Wood. Wood had all three stumps to aim for after Williamson took off for a quick single off his own bowling but somehow managed to miss the target from 10 feet out.

After that, there was no stopping the elegant right-hander as he showcased some expansive strokes on his way to a quick-fire T20I fifty and his first in 10 innings. He pummeled four huge sixes and as many boundaries in a sparkling 46-ball 72 that guided the Kiwis towards a huge total.

Williamson played himself back into form with a fine 72.

MITCHELL SANTNER SHOWS WHY HE’S NO1

The New Zealand left-arm spinner is the top-ranked T20I bowler in the world for a reason. Santner shared the new-ball duties with Trent Boult and Tim Southee and on a day where almost every bowler was taken for some runs, he was as economical as you could get.

His first three overs went for only 18 runs with the added bonus of Sam Billings’ wicket. He went for some runs in his final over but broke England’s back with the wicket of the set batsman Dawid Malan.

He ultimately finished with excellent figures of 2-29 off his four overs and was a vital catalyst for the Blackcaps’ victory.

Santner’s economical spell was vital for New Zealand’s win.

THE BAD

MARK WOOD’S OFF DAY

The England pacer might have ended his quota of overs with two wickets but it was a day where nothing went right for him. He first let off Williamson and the Kiwi made England pay heavily in the form of 72 quick runs.

He did not fare well with the ball either and was taken for three sixes and five boundaries as Williamson and Mark Chapman took a liking to his pace.

Wood ultimately went for over 12 runs an over, finishing with figures of 2-51 off his four overs.

JAMES VINCE’S LAZY RUNNING

The England batsman’s summer tour of Australia started off with an excellent knock of 80-odd in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane. That innings was brought to an end by a brilliant run-out by Nathan Lyon.

At Wellington, Vince started excellently with a brilliant straight six and was threatening to form a match-winning partnership with Malan. In the end, his innings came to an end on the same note as it had done in the Tests, with a direct hit finding him short of the crease. This time though, it was simply lazy running from the Englishman and he could have beaten Williamson’s throw had he just put in a dive.

Vince failed to put in a dive and paid the price.