England beat New Zealand by 20 runs to Strengthen their Position for Semis:
England won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand, who were on top of the points table.
The opening pair of England, Alex Hales and Jos Buttler were dominating New Zealand bowlers, In the first 10 overs, they Kiwi bowlers failed to take a wicket. The first wicket fell on 81 runs in the 11th over as Santner dismissed Hales. Moeen Ali was then dismissed by Ish Sodhi. Ferguson sent Livingstone back to the Pavilion. England were at 153/3.
Harry Brook and Ben Stokes didn’t even enter the double figures as Southee and Ferguson got their wicket respectively.
Jos Buttler’s phenomenal, innings came to an end when Southee ran him out in the second last over. He played a magnificent inning scoring 73 runs on 47 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
England scored 179/6 in 20 overs and New Zealand needed 180 to win.Fin Allen and Devon Conway opened the innings but Conway was dismissed early, in the second over.
Fin Allen was dismissed by Dam Curran. New Zealand were at 28/2. Glenn Philips and Kane Williamson shared a 91 run Partnership. Stokes got the breakthrough and dismissed Williamson. Kane scored 40 on 40 which proved that he wasn’t entirely comfortable while being at the crease. In the next over Neesham was dismissed by Wood. Woakes sent Mitchell toward the pavilion and England were 131/5.
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Glenn Phillips was then dismissed by Curran and that was the final nail in the coffin of the Kiwi Innings. New Zealand ended up scoring 159/6. Top Class Death Bowling by England bowlers in the last 5 overs allowed England to register the win. Woakes, Curran and Wood Conceded only 36 runs off the last 30 balls.
England won by 20 runs and Jos Buttler was named Player of the match.
The group 1 Points table is getting interesting, New Zealand, Australia England all have 5 in the points table. New Zealand are still at the top due to better net run rate followed by England and then Australia.
