England Reach Final With Hugely Impressive Win

By Nick Powell
England put in an excellent performance to defeat New Zealand and reach a World Cup or World T20 final for only the second time in 24 years, giving them the chance to become the first team to win the tournament twice.

New Zealand started brightly despite losing Guptill early, racing to 88-1 off the first 10 overs and it seemed likely they would reach 200.

After losing important players Williamson and Munro around the 100 mark, New Zealand slumped to 5 for 20 off a very disappointing final 4 overs to set England a very reachable 153/8.

And England, who less than twelve months had been dumped out of the 50-over World Cup at the group stages, eased to the total with 17 balls and 7 wickets remaining after Jason Roy's sensational innings.

New Zealand were favourites to win the game after beating hosts and favourites India, 50-over World Champions Australia and easing past Bangladesh and Pakistan but England took the vital wicket of Guptill just 13 balls in. The opener flashed at a wide delivery and a small nick was enough to earn the important breakthrough.

The following partnership of Colin Munro and Kane Williamson took the game into New Zealand's hands however, and whilst it only saw one six, they made 74 from 50 deliveries to put them in the driving seat.

Williamson had been the slower of the two, but when he skied Moeen Ali's delivery, the spinner got underneath his own ball to earn what was still an important blow.

Munro continued to play some exciting shots, but he was back with Williamson in the pavilion soon after, England tempted him to play wide outside and he swiped the ball straight to Ali at third man to check New Zealand again.

Munro Swipes his way back to the Pavilion

New Zealand had been slowed, but it seemed as if they were taking back control as Corey Anderson hit a huge six to leave New Zealand on 133-3 with 4 overs remaining.

But in the very next over, his partner Ross Taylor was gone and New Zealand added just three runs. The 18th was as if not even more successful. Although Ben Stokes conceded more runs than the previous one, he took two wickets in as many balls including that of Anderson, which meant England were on top.

Stokes' figures for his last two overs were a game-changing 3/6

Jordan's last over went for 9 but the last of the innings for England, bowled by Stokes saw just 3 conceded, with a further two wickets falling. The target for England, on a ground where in their last game they managed 171, was 154.

England were off to a flyer, the first 10% of the chase coming in only 5 balls. The 2010 Champions were easing through the Chase, with England and Roy himself reaching their respective 50s off 26 balls.

Roy's magnificent innings made the task easy for the subsequent batsmen

Hales had made a comparatively slow start, but trying to up his own pace ultimately led to his untimely downfall. Trying to loft Mitchell Santner down the ground, he found Colin Munro at long-on.  

Roy and Root slowed the pace of the innings down as England looked to play patiently in order to ensure they could ease the match home, but New Zealand had the wicket of the opener and Captain Morgan in two deliveries to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

Despite being known for his slogging, Buttler joined Root in going at a sensible rate at the crease to get the innings back on top, but after Root started hitting fours, the former started sending the ball over the rope as England reeled the target in, with just under 3 overs remaining.

They will face either Inaugural winners India or 2012 Champions the West Indies in the Final on Sunday.  

Photos: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/new-zealand-vs-england-live-blog-latest-updates-world-t20-semi-final-a6959391.html