COLOMBO: In a high-stakes Super Eights encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium, New Zealand have posted a total of 159 against England in T20 World Cup clash on Friday.
The match, which carries enormous significance for the semi-final qualification scenarios, saw New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner win the toss and elect to bat first on a surface expected to assist spin bowling.
Phillips top scores as Kiwis struggle for momentum
Glenn Phillips emerged as the top scorer for New Zealand with a brisk 39 off just 28 deliveries, striking four boundaries and one six. The innings, however, lacked substantial partnerships as England’s spin quartet maintained tight control throughout the middle overs.
Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a flying start, putting on 64 runs in just seven overs. Seifert looked particularly aggressive, scoring 35 from 25 balls before being stumped by Jos Buttler off the bowling of Adil Rashid. Allen followed soon after, caught by Jacob Bethell for a 19-ball 29 featuring three massive sixes.
England’s spin quartet strikes at regular intervals
England’s spin attack proved decisive, claiming six of the seven wickets to fall. Adil Rashid continued his impressive tournament form with figures of 2 for 28 from his four overs, while Will Jacks also picked up two crucial wickets for 23 runs.
The dismissal of Rachin Ravindra for 11, caught by Bethell off Rehan Ahmed, sparked a middle-order collapse from which New Zealand struggled to recover. Mark Chapman showed brief resistance with 15 from nine balls before becoming Rashid’s second victim.
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Daryl Mitchell’s struggles continued as he managed just three runs before falling to Liam Dawson, while Cole McConchie’s late cameo of 14 was ended by Rehan Ahmed in the final over.
Santner provides late flourish
Captain Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten on nine from five deliveries, including a six, to help his side past the 150-run mark. Matt Henry was the other not-out batsman as New Zealand finished at 159 for 7 after their full quota of 20 overs.
Pakistan’s hopes hang in balance
The outcome of this match carries significant implications for Pakistan, who are watching anxiously from the sidelines. An England victory would keep Pakistan’s semi-final hopes alive, while a New Zealand win would confirm Pakistan early exit from the World Cup.
England require 160 runs for victory, which would see them top the group and book their place in the semi-finals. New Zealand, meanwhile, need to defend this total to keep their qualification hopes firmly in their own hands.
