CRICKET TWENTY20 MATCH:ENGLAND BEGAN the frantic scramble for Allen Stanford's millions by completing an emphatic NatWest International Twenty20 victory over New Zealand last evening.

Just 48 hours after the announcement of England's annual winner-takes-all match in Antigua against a West Indies all-stars side financed by Stanford's fortune, the official scramble for a place on the plane began at Old Trafford last night.

Playing the first of only two scheduled international Twenty20 games before the November 1st Stanford showdown, when each player stands to earn €634,238 if they are successful, the pressure was on to deliver and secure their share of the jackpot. But rather than wilt under the pressure to perform, England thrived on the extra expectations and raced to a nine-wicket victory over the tourists with 15 balls to spare in front of a capacity Old Trafford crowd.

After restricting New Zealand to 123 for nine, they cruised to victory with Ian Bell emerging from his struggles during the Test series to finish unbeaten on 60 off only 46 balls. It was just the response the England and Wales Cricket Board would have hoped for having struck the deal which could make this generation of England cricketers richer than any of their predecessors. Pre-match concerns the lure of money may inhibit their performance could not have been further off track with England's attack setting the tone from the start.