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Daryl Mitchell guided Kiwis to the World Cup final with an unbeaten 73 off 47. Photo ICC[/caption]
New Zealand defeated England by five wickets to book their place in the finals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Men’s World Cup yesterday (11) in Abu Dhabi.
Kiwis chased down 167 runs to win with an over to spare, reviving their innings from its mid way, from a position where they had to score over 10 runs an over.
The Kiwis thus returned the favour to the English by ending their hopes of reaching the final.
They were left with despair after 2019 (50-over) World Cup which slipped out of their grasp with the finest of margins. In 2016 T20 World Cup too, England under Eoin Morgan beat Kane Williamson-led Kiwis in the semi-finals in India.
This time however, Mitchell made sure the Kiwis would be there to compete for the trophy at the final on Sunday (14) with the winner of today’s second semi, between Australia and Pakistan.
Mitchell turns it on
In their run chase, the Black Caps’ worst nightmare became a reality when both Martin Guptill and Williamson were dismissed cheaply by Chris Woakes.
England was on the driving seat during the Powerplay giving away only 36. They continued to tighten the screws and get the required run rate above 10 an over at the halfway mark. Devon Conway and Mitchell stepped on the gas after the water break but, Conway was dismissed by Liam Livingston in the 13th over.
However, Kiwis needed 60 in the last five overs.
After the loss of Glen Philips in the 16th over, Chris Jordan was hit in the next for two sixes and a four by James Neesham to shift the momentum towards the Kiwis.
The 18th over also went for 14 but Neesham was dismissed in the last ball by Adhil Rashid. Fortunately, Mitchell was still there. He finished it off with two sixes and a boundary in the 19th over.
England fight their way to decent total
England had a forced change in their playing eleven bringing in Sam Billings for the injured Jason Roy. Johnny Bairstow was promoted in the batting order but it didn’t work for them.
After a brisk start, both Bairstow and Jos Buttler fell after two uncharacteristic shots. The Kiwi bowlers were tightening the screws then.
David Malan, after struggling in his first few deliveries, found good form in a quick cameo during their middle overs.
At the end, Moeen Ali came up with a half-century and carried England to a decent total of 166.
Brief Scores:
Seventh T20 World Cup 1st Semi-final in Abu Dhabi:
New Zealand win by five wickets
England 166/4 (20) (Moeen Ali 51 n.o., David Malan 41, Jos Buttler 29, Liam Livingston 17; James Neesham 1/18, Tim Southee 1/24, Adam Milne 1/31, Ish Sodhi 1/32)
New Zealand (toss) 167/5 (19) (Daryll Mitchell 73 n.o., Devon Conway 46, James Neesham 26; Liam Livingston 2/22, Chris Woakes 2/36, Adhil Rashid 1/39)
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchel (New Zealand)
Daryl Mitchell guided Kiwis to the World Cup final with an unbeaten 73 off 47. Photo ICC[/caption]
New Zealand defeated England by five wickets to book their place in the finals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Men’s World Cup yesterday (11) in Abu Dhabi.
Kiwis chased down 167 runs to win with an over to spare, reviving their innings from its mid way, from a position where they had to score over 10 runs an over.
The Kiwis thus returned the favour to the English by ending their hopes of reaching the final.
They were left with despair after 2019 (50-over) World Cup which slipped out of their grasp with the finest of margins. In 2016 T20 World Cup too, England under Eoin Morgan beat Kane Williamson-led Kiwis in the semi-finals in India.
This time however, Mitchell made sure the Kiwis would be there to compete for the trophy at the final on Sunday (14) with the winner of today’s second semi, between Australia and Pakistan.
Mitchell turns it on
In their run chase, the Black Caps’ worst nightmare became a reality when both Martin Guptill and Williamson were dismissed cheaply by Chris Woakes.
England was on the driving seat during the Powerplay giving away only 36. They continued to tighten the screws and get the required run rate above 10 an over at the halfway mark. Devon Conway and Mitchell stepped on the gas after the water break but, Conway was dismissed by Liam Livingston in the 13th over.
However, Kiwis needed 60 in the last five overs.
After the loss of Glen Philips in the 16th over, Chris Jordan was hit in the next for two sixes and a four by James Neesham to shift the momentum towards the Kiwis.
The 18th over also went for 14 but Neesham was dismissed in the last ball by Adhil Rashid. Fortunately, Mitchell was still there. He finished it off with two sixes and a boundary in the 19th over.
England fight their way to decent total
England had a forced change in their playing eleven bringing in Sam Billings for the injured Jason Roy. Johnny Bairstow was promoted in the batting order but it didn’t work for them.
After a brisk start, both Bairstow and Jos Buttler fell after two uncharacteristic shots. The Kiwi bowlers were tightening the screws then.
David Malan, after struggling in his first few deliveries, found good form in a quick cameo during their middle overs.
At the end, Moeen Ali came up with a half-century and carried England to a decent total of 166.
Brief Scores:
Seventh T20 World Cup 1st Semi-final in Abu Dhabi:
New Zealand win by five wickets
England 166/4 (20) (Moeen Ali 51 n.o., David Malan 41, Jos Buttler 29, Liam Livingston 17; James Neesham 1/18, Tim Southee 1/24, Adam Milne 1/31, Ish Sodhi 1/32)
New Zealand (toss) 167/5 (19) (Daryll Mitchell 73 n.o., Devon Conway 46, James Neesham 26; Liam Livingston 2/22, Chris Woakes 2/36, Adhil Rashid 1/39)
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchel (New Zealand)