In an exciting chase, Mitchell and Neesham helped New Zealand to get past England's 164
10 November, 2021
PHOTO: REUTERS
New Zealand are the first finalist of ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they down England by five wickets in a thrilling clash at Sheikh Zayed International Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Opener Daryll Mitchell and James Neesham starred for Blackcaps while chasing 167 after a wobbly start. New Zealand will now either face Pakistan or Australia in the tournament's final at Dubai International Stadium on November 14.
What a turnaround this has been from New Zealand!
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 10, 2021
Daryl Mitchell with heroic innings of 73* and James Neesham with an important knock of 26 runs off 10 balls guide Kiwis to their first T20 World Cup final.#ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/P8xT8Sp714
Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson opted to bowl and England had to rejig their top-order after a calf injury ruled Jason Roy out of the competition. Jonny Bairstow paired with Jos Buttler at the top.
The duo started steady but New Zealand kept the things tight. Bairstow fell courtesy of a brilliant catch by Williamson at mid-off.
Buttler, while trying to play reverse-sweep against leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, was hit on the pad for an LBW dismissal. He made 29 off 24 balls, powered by four boundaries.
England wanted some momentum and Moeen Ali was elevated up the order. Meanwhile, Dawid Malan was impressive with his cover drives which helped England to accelerate.
Veteran Kiwi pacer Tim Southee, in his last over, provided a crucial breakthrough of Malan. He scored 41 off 30 balls with the help of a quartet of fours and a six.
Liam Livingstone played a cameo of 10-ball 17 while Moeen got to his first half-century in T20 World Cup towards the back end. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 37-ball 51, powered by three fours and two sixes. England posted a competitive total of 166/4
For New Zealand, Southee was superb once again. In four overs, he conceded only 24 runs and picked a wicket.
In return, Blackcaps had a shocking start with Martin Guptill departing in the first over of Chris Woakes. The pacer, in his second over, removed skipper Williamson who tried to play a ramp shot but it went straight to Adil Rashid at fine-leg.
New Zealand had to rebuild in the run chase after early scalps. Daryll Mitchell was joined by Devon Conway in the middle and the duo steadied the proceedings with a cautious approach.
They added 82 off 66 balls as Conway was stumped by wicketkeeper Buttler in the 14th over. Eoin Morgan's golden man Livingstone provided the breakthrough. Conway made 38-ball 46.
Livingstone returned to bowl his final over where he bagged one more dismissal of dangerous Glen Phillips (2). He finished with impressive figures of 2/22.
Liam Livingstone has delivered a sensational performance with the ball today; taking two crucial wickets of Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips.#ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/X3iXRn9TVm
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 10, 2021
Blackcaps needed 57 in the last four overs and Jimmy Neesham smacked 23 off Chris Jordan's 17th over. Meanwhile, Mitchell reached half-century with a six off Adil Rashid.
Neesham's departed on the last ball off Rashid's over. He scored 27 off just 11 and brought New Zealand back in contention.
This was a crucial knock from Neesham, 3 sixes and a boundary.
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 10, 2021
He departs after making 27.#ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HEiMQ6NpQI
Mitchell took the charge after Neesham's dismissal and completed the chase of the last ball of the 19th over. Mitchell, the Player of the Match, hit an unbeaten 73 off 48 balls which included four maximums and as many fours.
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