Abu Dhabi: New Zealand have avenged their defeat to England in the ODI World Cup final. The Kiwis won the first semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup by five wickets. Batting first, New Zealand chased down England’s 167-run target with one over to spare. The Kiwis survived the early setbacks and advanced to the final on the strength of the midfield. Opener Daryl Mitchell (72 not out off 47 balls, including four sixes and four fours), Devon Conway (46 off 38 balls) and Jimmy Neesham (27 off 11 balls, including three sixes and a four) assisted Kane Williamson and his team. Daryl Mitchell became the star of the game after scoring a half-century. The Kiwis will face the winners of the second semi-final between Pakistan and Australia today in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
New Zealand made a comeback after falling to 13 for two in the third over. Martin Gupta started the innings with a boundary off the first ball of the innings, but Chris Vokes took the wicket in the third ball. Moin Ali was caught. Captain Kane Williamson, who arrived at One Down, did not live long either. Vokes also returned the captain with five off 11 balls. This time it was caught by Adil Rashid. The Kiwi innings came to life when wicketkeeper-batsman Devon Conway found the right partner and smashed Daryl Mitchell. England’s grip loosened as the two unleashed an attack. Livingston brought England back into the match, knocking down Conway and Glenn Phillips (two) off 46 off 38 balls. When Conway was stumped by Butler, Phillips was taken over by Sam Billings.
Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell smashed for New Zealand, who needed 34 runs to win the last three overs. Chris Jordan hit 23 runs in the 17th over, including two sixes. Neesham hit 20 off seven balls. Adil Rashid, who bowled the next over, was also beaten. Despite conceding 14 runs in the over, Neesham’s wicket gave Rashid hope for England. Daryl Mitchell, meanwhile, hit a half-century to seal New Zealand’s victory with two sixes off Chris Vokes. Vijayaran hit a boundary off the last ball of the 19th over. Mitchell Santner was out with a run.
All-rounder Moin Ali, who had earlier finished fourth, fired a half-century to take England to 166. Ali, who was unbeaten on 51 off 37 balls with two sixes and three fours, was joined by David Malan (41) and opener Jose Butler (29).
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field at Abu Dhabi Stadium. Sam Billings, who replaced the injured opener Jason Roy in the last eleven, was in the middle order. The English innings was started by Jose Butler and Johnny Bairstow. Experienced Tim Southee and Trent Bolt threw the first overs for the Kiwis. Change bowler Adam Milne took the wicket off the first ball to give the Kiwis hope. Midfield Williamson caught Johnny Bairstow with 13 off 17 balls as the team scored 37 runs.
David Malan, who is in form with Butler, came to the crease. In his second over, Ish Sodhi returned the dangerous Butler. Butler reviewed the field umpire’s decision, but the leg before out TV umpire confirmed it. Later, Moin Ali and David Malan led England. In the meantime, wicketkeeper Conway assisted Malan. Malan hit a boundary twice in the 11th over to Glenn Phillips.
At the end of the 14th over, England reached 100 for two and soon changed gears. England’s first six of the innings came off the first ball of the 16th over. Southee flew over the square leg over the Malan border. On the next ball, however, Malan was caught by the keeper and Southee hit back. Malan scored 41 off 30 balls, including a six and four fours. Ali and Malan put on 63 off 43 balls. Ali then attacked Sodhi on the legside for a six.
England, who had not lost a wicket, finished the innings with a shot. Ali and Malan’s Liam Livingston put on 16 runs in the 17th over, including two sixes. Livingston fell to Jimmy Neesham in the 19th over. Livingston, who hit 17 off 10 balls, was caught by Santner. Moin Ali completed his half-century by foraging Neesham in the next ball. In the final ball of the innings, England captain Owen Morgan’s ball bounced off Philips’ hand and England were 166 for four.
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