England and New Zealand locked horns today in, what was on paper a very balanced contest. Well both teams needing a win, England to seal semi-final berth and Kiwis to stay afloat in the tournament. New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first, undermining the difficulty of a chase in a crunch game. Adam Milne made early inroads, getting rid of Jason Roy for 13 but that is when inform Joe Root joined Alex Hales, both stitched a healthy partnership of 81 before Hales bit the dust for 56. Eoin Morgan walked in but he could not make a big impact, he departed for 13 runs. It was left to Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, who along with Root got the innings back on track. Buttler remained not out on 61 and Stokes fell agonisingly short of a well-deserved 50. England posted 310 for New Zealand to get, a stiff chase surely. Milne and Anderson shared 3 wickets apiece.
England’s 50 makers #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/L0dwo4fVyc
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
Jake Ball celebrates after making a mess of Luke Ronchi’s stumps #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/jP1nU6KnD3
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
The New Zealand chase began and it was the last thing they had hoped for, Luke Ronchi out for a golden duck. ‘
A disaster start for @ronchi04 and the @BLACKCAPS! #ENGvNZ #CT17
WATCH: https://t.co/Q6PxLnwBlL pic.twitter.com/WBNXx3PIeo
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
But Williamson and Guptill got the chase on track before Guptill got out for 27 when the team total was 63.
WICKET! Guptill nicks it with the outside edge and Root in the slips is waiting for it! The New Zealand opener goes for 27 #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/bCqzpr5eU6
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
He needed to kick on but Ross Taylor was there and along with his captain they got things on track again, they lost their third wicket in the form of the important Williamson for 87, a partnership of 95 runs had come to and end and with that their chances soon started fading as Taylor followed suited and left Kiwis reeling at 168 for 4 in the 34th over.
FIFTY! Kane Williamson brings up the first half-century of the Blackcaps innings, off 60 balls. It’s his 30th in ODIs #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/VNMJSDwFHk
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
WICKET! Jake Ball gets his second wicket of the day, Ross Taylor dragging it to Root at midwicket! He goes for 39. NZ 168/4 #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/Q3YLfSUZl2
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
5 consecutive fifties against 2 teams – Kane Williamson is just the 2nd player to achieve the feat! #ENGvNZ #howzstat #CT17 pic.twitter.com/DVjwVC8og4
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
The lower middle order collapsed as expected under pressure, Broom, Neesham, Anderson and Santner failed. Soon the score was 205 for 7, it almost was like a surrender.
WICKET! Neil Broom is trapped lbw by Rashod! Uses the review but comes up as umpire’s call! New Zealand 194/6! #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/EfMsQspzPO
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
WICKET! it’s wide, but he’s stumped off it as he’s well outside his crease! Adil Rashid gets Mitchell Santner for 3! NZ 205/7 #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/E1y2D3lJe1
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
WICKET! The Blackcaps are eight down! Plunkett drops it short and Anderson sends it to Hales at the boundary! NZ 211/8 #ENGvNZ #CT17 pic.twitter.com/x45MY1pDPK
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2017
It was so surprising to see the Kiwis not even put up a fight. It was Liam Plunkett who stood up with the ball again scalping 4 wickets. England won the match by 87 runs.
