YOUNG Pears pace ace Pat Brown has launched his international T20 career with the wickets of Ross Taylor and big-hitting Rapids team-mate Martin Guptill.
The 21-year-old has played in each of England’s first three T20 clashes with New Zealand so far with Eoin Morgan’s men trailing the Black Caps 2-1 ahead of the fourth match on Friday.
The Worcestershire paceman picked up the prized scalp of Taylor and finished with 1-33 from his four overs in the opening game on Friday which England won by seven wickets.
Brown was entrusted with the final over of the innings on his debut by England captain Eoin Morgan – a role he has experienced many times for the Rapids – and responded in excellent fashion.
He conceded just six runs and, with his third delivery of the over, accounted for Taylor who top-scored with 44 off 35 balls.
Sunday’s game in Wellington saw Brown taken for 32 runs off his two overs as the Black Caps levelled the series with a 21-run victory.
The young Pear was denied the second scalp of his international career when James Vince dropped a comfortable chance offered by Tim Seifert in the covers.
Yesterday’s game in Nelson saw Brown pick up his former Rapids team-mate as England went down by 14 runs.
Brown bowled an impressive opening spell of two overs for nine runs during the initial six-over powerplay.
He came into the attack for the fourth over and his fifth delivery accounted for Guptill who scored 33 off 17 balls during an opening stand of 40 with ex-Rapids player Colin Munro.
Brown delivered a knuckle ball and Guptill fell to a fine catch by Tom Curran running back from wide mid-off.
He conceded only eight runs in the 17th and finished with figures of 4-0-34-1 as New Zealand totalled 180-7 after electing to bat.
The Pears ace received his international cap with team-mates Sam Curran and Lewis Gregory from former England bowler Steven Finn ahead of the opening game.