| 0.0 : We are at the end of the group stages and we are yet not sure as to who will be the top 4 playing the knockout games. We have two teams, India and Australia but two spots are still vacant. Today, we surely will be figuring out who the third semi finalist will be as England lock horns with New Zealand. The equation is simple, the side winning today confirms its spot in the semi final. A lot at stake so both the teams will be giving it their all. A cracking encounter can be expected. Stay tuned fo |
| TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favor of Eoin Morgan. ENGLAND WILL BAT FIRST! |
| England skipper, Eoin Morgan, says the pitch and overhead conditions are why they want to bat first, it seems to get slower in the second half as the pitches have not been as good as they have been before. States it is a fantastic game for them, a lot is at stake, it is like a quarter final, they are trying their best and they are giving it their all. Mentions the India win was a big confidence booster and the mood in the dressing room is fine. Further adds every game they play is a chance to sh |
| New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says they wanted to bat too, the surface is expected to stay good though and he hopes they can restrict England to a low total. Informs they have two changes, Southee and Henry come in for Sodhi and Ferguson. Further adds Ferguson has been outstanding so he is a big miss, it is just a hamstring niggle so hope he gets fine soon. States Southee has always been good for them and he hopes he can make an impact. |
| ENGLAND (UNCHANGED PLAYING XI) - Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood. |
| NEW ZEALAND (PLAYING XI) - Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (IN FOR LOCKIE FERGUSON), Matt Henry (IN FOR ISH SODHI), Trent Boult. |
| It is time for the National Anthems! Both the teams make their way out to the middle. New Zealand will sing their first and then England will have their chance. |
| Done and dusted with the National Anthems. We are all set to begin. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy will open the batting for England. We have a surprise here. It is Mitchell Santner who will start the proceedings for New Zealand. |
| 0.1 : M Santner to J Roy, FOUR BYES! What a start that is! A brilliant delivery! This is flatter and it starts on off, Roy goes back and looks to cut but the ball keeps drifting in. Roy misses, it goes past the leg pole, the keeper fails to collect it and it goes to the fine leg fence. |
| 0.2 : M Santner to J Roy, Floats it up on the stumps, this is pushed to covers. |
| 0.3 : M Santner to J Roy, Flatter again and on middle, Roy slaps it to point. |
| 0.4 : M Santner to J Roy, FOUR! A gift! A full toss outside off, Roy just needs to find the gap. He does so as he hits it through covers and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 0.5 : M Santner to J Roy, Slower through the air this time and it lands on off, Roy pushes it with the turn to covers. |
| 0.6 : M Santner to J Roy, A single to end a very good first over for England. This is on the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| Trent Boult to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : T Boult to J Roy, A huge, huge shout by Boult! But the umpire is unmoved. A good start for Boult. He starts on middle and then gets it to tail back in. Roy looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. Going down leg. |
| 1.2 : T Boult to J Roy, Another appeal, this time for caught behind but it is off the pads! Down the leg side, Roy looks to flick but misses. It brushes his pads and goes to the keeper. |
| 1.3 : T Boult to J Roy, Lovely shot and well fielded! This is on off and fuller in length. No swing this time, Roy hits it through the line to the right of mid off where the fielder dives to his right and saves it. |
| 1.4 : T Boult to J Roy, On the shorter side this time and this is angled away. Roy goes back and keeps it out. |
| 1.5 : T Boult to J Roy, FOUR! Roy is dealing in boundaries! A slower one and it is fuller in length on the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket and it races away. Not sure why Boult bowled that! He is getting swing out there so why go for the slower one. |
| 1.6 : T Boult to J Roy, A couple to end another good over for England! Back of a length on off, Roy stands tall and pushes it through covers for two. |
| Just the single over for Santner. Tim Southee is into the attack. Can he make an impact straightaway? |
| 2.1 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, On the shorter side on middle, Bairstow works it to mid-wicket. |
| 2.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, On the shorter side again and outside off, JB looks to cut but ends up mistiming it to covers. |
| 2.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Too much width on offer and Bairstow pounces on it. He opens his account with a boundary as well. Short and outside off again, Jonny pushes it through covers and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 2.4 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! It is raining boundaries here! Consecutive ones for Jonny Bairstow. Once again there is room on offer and it is outside off. JB hits it through covers, off the front foot this time and it races away. |
| 2.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Gets his line right this time and attacks the stumps, Bairstow defends it onto the ground. |
| 2.6 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, A couple to end! So three good overs in a row for England ! This is around off, it shapes away late. Bairstow looks to push at it but does so inside the line. The ball goes off the outside edge down to third man. Boult runs to his left, slides and stops it. |
| 3.1 : T Boult to J Roy, Back of a length on middle, Roy defends it onto the ground. |
| 3.2 : T Boult to J Roy, This is outside off, Roy guides it past the diving point fielder for a brace. |
| 3.3 : T Boult to J Roy, Good stop! Slightly shorter and outside off, Roy goes after it. The ball goes off the under edge towards first slip where Guptill sticks his hand out and stops it. |
| 3.4 : T Boult to J Roy, FOUR LEG BYES! Poor ball and Boult pays the price! This is down the leg side. Roy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and races to the fine leg fence. England are off to a flier here. |
| 3.5 : T Boult to J Roy, A wild swing there! This is outside off, Roy looks to heave it on the leg side, it goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 3.6 : T Boult to J Roy, BEATEN! This is bowled full and outside off, Roy goes after it away from his body but does not connect. |
| 4.1 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, This is on middle, Bairstow pushes it to mid on. |
| 4.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, On off this time and it is on a length. JB works it with the angle to mid on. |
| 4.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Too straight and it is easy for Bairstow! This is fuller and on the pads, Jonny clips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 4.4 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Just over! Back-to-back boundaries! Full and outside off, Bairstow lofts it over the cover-point fielder who stretches his hand upwards, it goes over him and a boundary results. |
| 4.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! New Zealand are just not sure where to bowl at the moment! They are under serious pressure. Southee goes short but it won't trouble Bairstow at his pace. Jonny goes back and hammers it over square leg for a boundary. |
| 4.6 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, A single now as Bairstow works it through square leg for one. Another huge over. 13 from it. |
| 5.1 : T Boult to J Bairstow, Lovely delivery! This lands on off and it angles away. Bairstow goes back and tries to defend but it beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 5.2 : T Boult to J Bairstow, Another good-looking drive! This is fuller and around off, Jonny pushes it to mid off. |
| 5.3 : T Boult to J Bairstow, Good length and on off, JB pushes it firmly but straight to covers. |
| 5.4 : T Boult to J Bairstow, FOUR! Overpitches and pays the price! Full and outside off, Bairstow nonchalantly lofts it over covers and finds the boundary. So New Zealand are bowling one bad ball per over which England are taking full toll off. |
| 5.5 : T Boult to J Bairstow, Goes back to bowling length and lands it around off, JB stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 5.6 : T Boult to J Bairstow, A dot to end a good over by Boult! Just the boundary from it. New Zealand need a few more like this. Back of a length on middle, Jonny keeps it out. |
| Matt Henry is into the attack. |
| 6.1 : M Henry to J Roy, Roy uses his feet but Henry bangs it shorter in length. Roy pushes it towards mid on for one. |
| 6.2 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Once again a little too straight, Bairstow works it through mid-wicket for a brace. 50 up for England. |
| 6.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Fuller and on off, Bairstow strokes it to mid off. |
| 6.4 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Down the leg side, Bairstow lets it be and it has been wided. |
| M Henry to J Bairstow, Back of a length on middle, JB defends it to mid on. |
| 6.5 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Slightly fuller this time, Bairstow pushes it towards mid on and gets to the other end. |
| 6.6 : M Henry to J Roy, Roy is not happy with himself! This is on the pads, Roy misses the flick, it hits the pad and rolls to the keeper. He misses out on a boundary there and he knows that. |
| 7.1 : T Boult to J Bairstow, On the fuller side, Bairstow strokes it to mid off for one. |
| 7.2 : T Boult to J Roy, Another good length ball on off, Roy defends it to point. |
| 7.3 : T Boult to J Roy, FOUR! Dismissed! On the shorter side and around off, Roy picks the length early, he goes back and smashes it through mid-wicket. No stopping those. |
| 7.4 : T Boult to J Roy, Goes back to landing it on a length around off, Roy defends it to mid off. |
| 7.5 : T Boult to J Roy, Around off and on a fuller length, Roy looks to hit it through the off side but it goes off the inner half to mid on. |
| 7.6 : T Boult to J Roy, Almost plays it on! This is bowled outside off and it is slightly ahead of a length. Roy goes after it away from the body, it hits the inside edge and goes close past the leg pole, towards the leg side for one. |
| 8.1 : M Henry to J Roy, That seemed to have stuck in the surface! This is outside off and on a length, Roy looks to hit it through the off side but the ball comes off slow from the surface. It goes off the inner half to mid on. |
| 8.2 : M Henry to J Roy, Once again it does not come off the middle. Henry rolls his fingers on this delivery and it is on off, Roy once again looks to force it through the off side but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one. |
| 8.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Fuller and on middle, JB works it through mid-wicket for another single. |
| 8.4 : M Henry to J Roy, TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Fortune favors the brave and that is exactly the case here! Short and on middle, Roy looks to pull it off the front foot, it goes off the top edge over the keeper for a boundary. |
| 8.5 : M Henry to J Roy, The batsman has driven it through mid on. |
| 8.6 : M Henry to J Roy, This is outside off, Roy opens the face and guides it down to third man for one. |
| 9.1 : T Boult to J Roy, Slightly fuller and on off, Roy strokes it to covers. |
| 9.2 : T Boult to J Roy, Almost plays it on! This is on middle, Roy looks to play it late but ends up chopping it to the keeper. |
| 9.3 : T Boult to J Roy, Roy misses out there! He was guilty of going too hard at it. This is a full toss outside off, Roy swings hard but it goes off the inner half to mid on. |
| 9.4 : T Boult to J Roy, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 9.5 : T Boult to J Bairstow, Good length and on off, this is pushed to mid off. Also, a first official warning for Boult as he runs onto the danger area. |
| 9.6 : T Boult to J Bairstow, A dot to end Powerplay 1! England have dominated it, it could have been a lot worse for New Zealand but they managed to pull things back a little towards the end. England are 67 for 0. The last ball is a length delivery around off, Bairstow pushes it towards mid off. Cover dives to his right and saves it, |
| Powerplay 2 is signaled. Maximum of 4 fielders can be outside the circle till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : M Henry to J Roy, This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 10.2 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 10.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off. |
| 10.4 : M Henry to J Bairstow, This is on middle, Bairstow works it to mid-wicket. Another dot! |
| 10.5 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Just the single from the over so far! Fuller and on middle, JB works it to mid on. |
| 10.6 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Back-to-back good overs for New Zealand! Good length and on off, this is defended out. |
| Mitchell Santner is back on now! |
| 11.1 : M Santner to J Roy, On the fuller side, Roy stays leg side of the ball and hits it wide of long off for two. |
| 11.2 : M Santner to J Roy, FOUR! What a shot that is! This is fuller and on off, Roy once again stays leg side of the delivery and just opens his hands at the last moment, lofts it over extra cover and it races to the fence. |
| 11.3 : M Santner to J Roy, Flatter and on middle, Roy pushes it to covers. |
| 11.4 : M Santner to J Roy, On middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 11.5 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Fuller on off, Bairstow hits it down to long off for one. |
| 11.6 : M Santner to J Roy, Uppish but wide! Santner floats it up again around off, Roy once again opens his hands and gets it over covers for two. 10 runs from the over. Santner has bowled two expensive overs till now. |
| 12.1 : M Henry to J Bairstow, On the fuller side on middle, this is hit to mid on. |
| 12.2 : M Henry to J Bairstow, FOUR! Glorious! Shot of the day probably! Very full and on middle, Bairstow strokes it past mid on with a straight bat and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 12.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, On the shorter side, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket and takes one. |
| 12.4 : M Henry to J Roy, Good length and on off, Roy keeps it out. |
| 12.5 : M Henry to J Roy, On the shorter side, Roy works it through mid-wicket and takes an easy two. |
| 12.6 : M Henry to J Roy, A single to end a productive over for England. Roy dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He mistimes it to mid off for one. |
| 13.1 : M Santner to J Roy, FOUR! Classic shot from Jason Roy. Tossed up outside off, Roy drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 13.2 : M Santner to J Roy, Another tossed up ball on off, Roy hits it down to long off for one. |
| 13.3 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it, Bairstow works it towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 13.4 : M Santner to J Roy, Comes down the track early, Santner spots that and bowls it short. Roy pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 13.5 : M Santner to J Roy, This is on the pads, Roy works it through square leg for one. |
| 13.6 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Quicker and on middle, this is pushed to mid-wicket. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is into the attack. |
| 14.1 : de Grandhomme to J Roy, This is on middle, Roy pushes it down to long off for one. |
| 14.2 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, FOUR! Deft! Lovely shot! The slightest of width on offer and that was enough. Bairstow just waits for it and then opens the face at the last moment and guides it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 14.3 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, On middle, this is hit down to long on for one. 400 runs for Bairstow in this World Cup. |
| 14.4 : de Grandhomme to J Roy, 100 up for England as Roy eases it down to long off for one. |
| 14.5 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, On the middle pole, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 14.6 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, FOUR! Once again a deft touch! This is shorter and just outside off, Bairstow guides it past backward point once again and it races away to the fence. Expensive start for Colin. |
| 15.1 : M Santner to J Roy, Flatter and on off, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 15.2 : M Santner to J Roy, Shorter and quicker on off, Roy chops it towards point for one. |
| 15.3 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Flatter and on middle, this is pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Flatter and on off, JB pushes it through covers for one. |
| 15.5 : M Santner to J Roy, Fires it on the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 15.6 : M Santner to J Roy, On the stumps, Roy looks to hit it hard through the off side, it goes off the inner half through mid on for one. A good over by Santner this. New Zealand need a few more like this. |
| Jimmy Neesham is into the attack. |
| 16.1 : J Neesham to J Roy, On the off pole, this is kept out. |
| 16.2 : J Neesham to J Roy, A single for Roy to get to his half ton! Consecutive ones for him. How dearly England missed him when he was out! He is back in the team and back amongst the runs. He gets there by guiding this past point for one. |
| 16.3 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, On the fuller side, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 16.4 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Shorter and around off, Bairstow guides it to point. |
| 16.5 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Fifty for Bairstow now! He continues from where he left off against India. He would want to make it big now. He gets a freebie to get there. On the pads, he works this towards backward square leg for two. |
| 16.6 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Good length and on off, Bairstow guides it down to third man for one. |
| DRINKS! England going brilliantly at this stage! The platform is laid by the openers for a big score. New Zealand on the other hand, need wickets, not one but two at least. For now, it is difficult to see from where will the wicket come but they need someone to step up. Will England continue the domination after the break or will New Zealand fight back? |
| Tim Southee is back into the attack. |
| 17.1 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Good length and on off, this is defended. |
| 17.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Another one on a length and around off, Bairstow blocks it out. |
| 17.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Slightly fuller around off, this is hit through cover-point for one. |
| 17.4 : Tim Southee to J Roy, Well fielded! Roy comes down the track and hits it to the left of mid off. The fielder runs there, slides and keeps it down to one. |
| 17.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Fuller and outside off, JB hits it through covers for one. |
| 17.6 : Tim Southee to J Roy, On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. A decent over by Southee. |
| 18.1 : J Neesham to J Roy, Roy makes room and Neesham follows him. Roy looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 18.2 : J Neesham to J Roy, FOUR! Picked his spot well! Neesham bangs it short and outside off, Roy knows mid on is in the ring so he flat-bats it over that fielder and bags a boundary. |
| 18.3 : J Neesham to J Roy, FOUR! Too short and Roy dispatches it! It is outside off and it sits up to be hit. Roy pulls it over mid-wicket and gets another boundary. |
| 18.4 : J Neesham to J Roy, OUT! TAKEN! Neesham gets the breakthrough. He has the last laugh. It seems like the two short balls were a set-up. He goes fuller this time and it is on off, Roy stays rooted to his crease and looks to drive but ends up playing ahead of his body. It hits the bat and goes straight to Santner at covers. A much-needed wicket for New Zealand as this partnership was probably taking the game away from them. Roy once again fails to convert. New Zealand will hope this is an ope |
| Joe Root is the new batsman in. |
| 18.5 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Good length and on middle, Root blocks it out. |
| 18.6 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Root is underway! This is outside off, Joe strokes it through covers for one. 9 runs but more importantly a wicket from the over. |
| 19.1 : Tim Southee to Joe Root, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 19.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, On the fuller side on middle, Bairstow hits it towards mid on for no runs. |
| 19.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Back of a length and on off, Jb guides it to point. |
| 19.4 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Almost! This is on the pads, Bairstow looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take two. |
| 19.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Spoils the over! Slightly short and around off, Bairstow picks the length early and hammers it through mid-wicket. |
| 19.6 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, A couple to end! Shorter and on middle, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket for two. |
| Matt Henry is back into the attack. |
| 20.1 : M Henry to Joe Root, On a length on off, Root plays it towards point for a run. |
| 20.2 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Length delivery on off, Jonny plays it to point. |
| 20.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, On a good length on off, Bairstow defends it off the front foot. |
| 20.4 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 20.5 : M Henry to J Bairstow, A slower dipping full toss on off, Bairstow hits it to mid on. |
| 20.6 : M Henry to J Bairstow, This is on the pads, JB works it through mid-wicket for one. Just the two from the over. |
| Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. |
| 21.1 : M Santner to J Bairstow, On the pads, this is worked to short fine leg. |
| 21.2 : M Santner to J Bairstow, FOUR! Santner is leaking runs today! This is short again and on middle, Bairstow looks to pull but it goes off the inner half through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 21.3 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Flatter and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 21.4 : M Santner to Joe Root, A quick run! This is worked to the left of short fine leg and the batters change ends. |
| 21.5 : M Santner to J Bairstow, On the stumps, Bairstow pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 21.6 : M Santner to J Bairstow, This is angled into the off pole, JB goes to push it through the off side but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler. So a good comeback after going for a boundary. |
| 22.1 : M Henry to Joe Root, Good length and on off, Root guides it towards gully. |
| 22.2 : M Henry to Joe Root, Lovely shot! That deserved a boundary but England get one less! Back of a length on off, Root stands tall and pushes it through covers for three. |
| 22.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, On the fuller side, Bairstow strokes it to mid off. |
| 22.4 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Good bumper outside off! That was sharp. Bairstow evades it. |
| 22.5 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Back of a length on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 22.6 : M Henry to Joe Root, On middle. Root works it to mid on. |
| 23.1 : M Santner to J Bairstow, FOUR! A half-tracker and it is put away! Short and on middle, Bairstow goes back quickly and pulls it over mid-wicket and bags a boundary. Santner just has not found his length today, he has bowled atleast one bad ball every over. |
| 23.2 : M Santner to J Bairstow, The batsman rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. 150 up for England. |
| 23.3 : M Santner to Joe Root, Flighted delivery on off, Root defends it out. |
| 23.4 : M Santner to Joe Root, FOUR! Nice improvisation from Joe Root. Flighted delivery on off, Root plays a reverse sweep over third man for a boundary. |
| 23.5 : M Santner to Joe Root, Floated delivery on off, Root drives it back towards the bowler. |
| 23.6 : M Santner to Joe Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket where the fielder dives to stop it but it goes through him. The batsmen pick up a couple. 11 runs have come from the over. |
| Jimmy Neesham is back! |
| 24.1 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Fuller and outside off, Bairstow looks to drive but it goes off the outside edge down to third man for one. |
| 24.2 : J Neesham to Joe Root, This is on middle, Root works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 24.3 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Shorter and outside off, Root guides it towards point where Guptill dives to his left and stops it but can't save the run. |
| 24.4 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, OUCH! That might have hurt! This is on a length and around middle, Bairstow looks to hit it over mid on but does not time it that well. It goes on the bounce to mid on who fails to collect it and it hits him on the chest. It goes away from him and a run is taken. |
| 24.5 : J Neesham to Joe Root, On middle, Root pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 24.6 : J Neesham to Joe Root, On the pads, this is worked through backward square leg for two. |
| 25.1 : M Santner to J Bairstow, A little turn there! This is flatter and on off, it straightens. Bairstow looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards backward point for one. |
| 25.2 : M Santner to Joe Root, DROPPED! A tough chance though! This is flatter and outside off, Root looks to run it down to third man but it goes off the outside edge, hits the outer part of the glove and goes towards short third man for one. |
| 25.3 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Looks to play the slog sweep but it goes off the inner half towards fine leg for two. |
| 25.4 : M Santner to J Bairstow, OHHH! This is slightly fuller and quicker outside off, Bairstow misreads the length and goes back to play this. He is late in bringing his bat down and the ball just about kisses the off pole. |
| 25.5 : M Santner to J Bairstow, Flighted delivery on off, Bairstow punches it towards point for a single. |
| 25.6 : M Santner to Joe Root, Tossed up on off, Root drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs. |
| A halt in play here! Not sure why! The physio is out as Root seems to be having an issue. Maybe some breathing issue and the physio is seen helping him out. He now seems fine to continue as he is seen wearing his helmet. Also, Ross Taylor goes upto him and asks him if he is fine. |
| 26.1 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, On the pads, this is worked through backward square leg for an easy couple. |
| 26.2 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, WIDE! Way too short! Bairstow evades it and it has been wided. |
| J Neesham to J Bairstow, Outside off, JB guides it down to third man for one. |
| 26.3 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Good length around off, Root guides it down to third man and takes one. 50-run stand up between the two. So they have continued the good work from the openers. |
| 26.4 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Good length and on off, JB pushes it to covers. |
| 26.5 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Another dot! Slower one around off, Jonny guides it to point. |
| 26.6 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Three dots in a row! Short and outside off again, Bairstow cuts but finds point. |
| Tim Southee back on now! 4-0-36-0 his figures so far. |
| 27.1 : Tim Southee to Joe Root, Length delivery on off, Root taps it towards third man for a run. |
| 27.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 27.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Around off, pushed down to mid on for a quick single. |
| 27.4 : Tim Southee to Joe Root, Dropped short, going down the leg side, pulled to short fine leg for a run. |
| 27.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, SIX! High and handsome! First of the day. Full and outside off, Bairstow gets underneath this and sends it soaring straight back over the bowler's head, right behind the sightscreen. Moves into the 90s. |
| 27.6 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, played with nearly a horizontal bat, towards mid on. |
| 28.1 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Outside off, dabbed towards third man for a single. |
| 28.2 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Length ball on middle stump and JB pulls it to deep square leg for one. |
| 28.3 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Punches this back to the bowler. |
| 28.4 : J Neesham to Joe Root, Another short ball. Chest height ball and Root glides the ball to third man for a single. Also brings up 500 runs in this World cup for him. |
| 28.5 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 28.6 : J Neesham to J Bairstow, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 29.1 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, On a length outside off, Bairstow reaches out and drives it straight to point. |
| 29.2 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 29.3 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Very full, almost a yorker, but down the leg side. Jonny plays all around it and misses his flick. Is hit on the pads and Southee appeals but umpire Ravi turns it down. Ball Tracker predicts it to be going down leg. |
| 29.4 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! Fine shot. A short ball, around middle, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary. A hit away from consecutive WC centuries. |
| 29.5 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, Outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 29.6 : Tim Southee to J Bairstow, FOUR! HUNDRED FOR BAIRSTOW! First English player to get two consecutive tons in a World Cup. He is pumped up. Jumps in the air, takes his helmet off and celebrates with a fist pump. Jonny boy is back. Gets to his milestone with a pull behind square leg. Short fine leg runs behind, mid-wicket runs across but neither get there in time! |
| Trent Boult comes back on. 5-0-19-0 so far. |
| We have a review for a caught behind! Root has been adjudged caught down the leg side and New Zealand are confident. Root is confident as well and has referred it upstairs. There was a noise. And Ultra Edge is showing a spike when the ball passes the bat... |
| 30.1 : T Boult to Joe Root, OUT! Caught down the leg side! Root has to depart. There is something on Ultra Edge. A short ball, down the leg side, Root looked to pull but missed. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat and Latham appealed as soon as he collected. The umpire raised his finger but Root instantaneously went for the review. Ultra Edge confirms that there was a spike as soon as the ball went past the bat and Root has to depart cheaply today. The 71-run stand has been broken. |
| 0.0 : Interesting. Jos Buttler has been promoted to number 4, ahead of Morgan. |
| 30.2 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 30.3 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| Trent Boult is now given the second official warning for running on the danger area. One more incidence and he will be off for this innings. |
| 30.4 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, FOUR! PRISTINE! Buttler is off the mark in style! Full and outside off, Jos leans and drives it through cover-point to get going. |
| Slip comes out now. |
| 30.5 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Short and outside off, JB looks to pull but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his body. |
| 30.6 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, 200 UP FOR ENGLAND. A short ball, Buttler pulls it through square leg for a couple. |
| DRINKS BREAK. England continue to stay ahead in this game. New Zealand however, have managed to get Root but England still have a lot of batting to come. Also, with Jonny Bairstow on a ton, England will be aiming to double their score. If New Zealand do not take wickets, they will probably be batted out of the game here. An action-packed passage of play waits ahead. Also, Matt Henry is back on. |
| 31.1 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 31.2 : M Henry to J Bairstow, FOUR! Full length ball bowled well outside off. Jonny Bairstow frees up his arms and drives beautifully through the covers. |
| Aslam Bhai (In his native language, translating here) - You know what, I reckon Martin Guptill will score a double hundred. Then Pakistan will go through to the semis. @Aslam - Well, if this does happen, then I am booking an appointment with you after the World Cup ends. Would like to know my future by looking at the crystal ball. |
| 31.3 : M Henry to J Bairstow, Good running. Ball is bowled outside of short a length and JB cuts it to the point region for a couple. |
| 31.4 : M Henry to J Bairstow, WICKET! The big wicket is gone! The ball is pitched outside off on a good length, he goes for a off drive through the covers, but instead he chops it on to the leg pole. England lose their third wicket and it is a big wicket. Jonny Bairstow returns to the dugout after a great innings. |
| Skipper Eoin Morgan walks in at number 5, replacing Bairstow. |
| 31.5 : M Henry to E Morgan, A bouncer to greet the new man, Morgan ducks. |
| 31.6 : M Henry to E Morgan, Ohh! That's close. Morgan leaves the ball but he probably must have misjudged it as it goes just over the top of the off stump. |
| 32.1 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Excellent stop by Martin Guptill! And he has hurt his right shoulder in the process. Superlative effort. Short and outside off, Buttler cuts it hard through point but Guppy dives to his right and half-stops it. Parries it wide of cover and keeps the batsmen to a single. |
| 32.2 : T Boult to E Morgan, Full and on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 32.3 : T Boult to E Morgan, Similar shot, this time Morgan gets a single. |
| 32.4 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a run. |
| 32.5 : T Boult to E Morgan, Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 32.6 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Another short ball, pulled away for a single. |
| 33.1 : M Henry to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.2 : M Henry to E Morgan, Drives this straight to mid off. |
| 33.3 : M Henry to E Morgan, Length ball on the middle stump. Morgan blocks it out. |
| 33.4 : M Henry to E Morgan, Short ball on head height outside off. Morgan pulls it towards square leg for a single. |
| 33.5 : M Henry to Jos Buttler, Buttler clips it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.6 : M Henry to E Morgan, Good length ball and Morgan plays it back to the bowler. |
| 34.1 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, Around off, defended watchfully. |
| 34.2 : T Boult to Jos Buttler, OUT! Caught! Another one departs and the Kiwis keep believing. Full and outside off, Buttler looks to go over the top but the ball hits the toe end of the bat. It goes towards mid off where Kane Williamson swiftly gets across to his right and takes it near his tummy. 3/20 in the last 26 balls. For the first time in the match, New Zealand are in control. Replays show that it was a knuckle ball. |
| Ben Stokes comes out to bat now. |
| 34.3 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 34.4 : T Boult to E Morgan, Dropped short, pulled behind square leg for a run. |
| 34.5 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes looks to defend but the ball moves away and goes off the outside edge through the vacant slip cordon to third man. A couple taken. |
| 34.6 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, Boult's figures read 8-0-34-2. Does Williamson bowl him out here or keep him for the last 4 overs? |
| Tim Southee is back on. 6-0-52-0 so far. |
| 35.1 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, Outside off, dabbed behind point where backward point slides to his right and makes a good stop. |
| 35.2 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 35.3 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, FOUR! Poor bowling. A short ball, down the leg side, Morgan pulls it to the fine leg fence. |
| 35.4 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. This was a lovely shot. |
| 35.5 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 35.6 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, A short ball around middle, Morgan ducks. |
| Jimmy Neesham is back on. 5-0-27-1 so far. |
| 36.1 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Full and around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 36.2 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, On middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes drives it straight down the ground but mid off mops it up. |
| 36.4 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, That was close. Was it bat first or pad? On a length around off, Stokes looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. The bowler starts to appeal but is not sure whether it was bat first or pad. Replays are inconclusive. |
| 36.5 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 36.6 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, RUN OUT MISSED! Morgan was gone for all money. Outside off, Stokes pushes it towards mid off and initially sets off for a single. But Mitchell Santner quickly gets across to his left from short extra cover and Stokes sells his captain a dummy down the river. He stops and Morgan has to return. He tries to dive in but is late. Luckily for him, Santner's throw misses the stumps at the bowler's end. |
| 37.1 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, Outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 37.2 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Around off, pushed straight to point. |
| 37.3 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Outside off, punched through cover for a run. |
| 37.4 : Tim Southee to E Morgan, A short ball, pulled through square leg for one. |
| 37.5 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Landed outside off, Stokes looks to run it down to third man but misses. The ball bounces in front of the keeper. |
| 37.6 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Action replay of the previous delivery. A rare good over from Southee, who has been going north in terms of runs today. 8-0-64-0 so far. |
| 38.1 : J Neesham to E Morgan, A short ball, punched uppishly, but exactly between cover and point for a single. |
| 38.2 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, On middle, played straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 38.3 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, A short ball, around off, Stokes looks to pull but the ball bounces a shade low and goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A run taken. |
| 38.4 : J Neesham to E Morgan, Outside off, dabbed to third man for one more. |
| 38.5 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 38.6 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, driven straight to Santner at extra cover again. It has become pretty quiet out there. Just 26 runs in the last 7 overs. Incidentally, 7 overs before, Bairstow had been dismissed. Can England get to 320 from here? |
| Mitchell Santner returns. 7-0-49-0 so far. |
| 39.1 : M Santner to E Morgan, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 39.2 : M Santner to E Morgan, WIDE. Fires this down the leg side, Morgan cannot connect. The keeper fumbles but the batsmen do not run. |
| M Santner to E Morgan, Full on middle, the skipper comes down the track and pushes it down to long on for a single. |
| 39.3 : M Santner to Ben Stokes, Outside off, pushed through the covers for one more. |
| 39.4 : M Santner to E Morgan, Outside off, Morgan punches it through the covers for a brace. |
| 39.5 : M Santner to E Morgan, On middle, played straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 39.6 : M Santner to E Morgan, FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Morgan sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary! |
| POWERPLAY 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of this innings. |
| 40.1 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Excellent yorker on off, Stokes digs it out to the keeper. |
| 40.2 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 40.3 : J Neesham to E Morgan, Outside off, tapped through point for a run. |
| 40.4 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 40.5 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Comes down the track but Neesham bowls it wide outside off. Ben throws his bat at it and skews it over cover. Two runs taken. |
| 40.6 : J Neesham to Ben Stokes, Outside off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. Another quiet over. Just 5 from it. |
| 41.1 : M Santner to Ben Stokes, Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 41.2 : M Santner to Ben Stokes, Pitched outside leg, Stokes looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Santner appeals but then bails out. |
| 41.3 : M Santner to Ben Stokes, Comes down the track and eases it through mid on for a single. |
| 41.4 : M Santner to E Morgan, Full and outside leg, Morgan looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. No appeal for LBW this time. |
| 41.5 : M Santner to E Morgan, Full and outside leg, Morgan gets down and reverse sweeps it through point. But the fielding placement is excellent with Colin de Grandhomme placed at the right place. He quickly gets across to his right, slides and makes a terrific stop. Just a single. |
| 41.6 : M Santner to Ben Stokes, OUT! Caught! The big Ben is gone too! Santner has struck. Full and around middle, 97 kph, Stokes comes down the track and looks to go over the top but does not quite get to the pitch of the ball. The ball hits the toe end of the bat as he looks to go big and he holes out to Matt Henry at long on. England continue to lose their way at the death. Will they get to even 300 from here? |
| Chris Woakes comes in at number 7, replacing Stokes. |
| 42.1 : J Neesham to E Morgan, Outside off, Morgan looks to push it through the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the leg stump towards short fine leg. A single taken. |
| 42.2 : J Neesham to C Woakes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 42.3 : J Neesham to C Woakes, Full and outside off, driven beautifully but straight to short extra cover. |
| 42.4 : J Neesham to C Woakes, On middle and leg, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : J Neesham to C Woakes, Outside off, on a length, Woakes looks to push it through the off side but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. |
| 42.6 : J Neesham to C Woakes, Another jaffa! Good length ball outside off, Chris once again plays inside the line and is beaten by the late away movement as he looks to defend. |
| 43.1 : M Santner to E Morgan, Full and around off, pushed towards the bowler. |
| 43.2 : M Santner to E Morgan, Outside off, chopped down to short third man for a single. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND. How many more can they get in the remaining 40 balls? |
| 43.3 : M Santner to C Woakes, Full and around off, worked past Kane Williamson at short mid-wicket for a single. |
| 43.4 : M Santner to E Morgan, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed. |
| M Santner to E Morgan, Outside off, played through point for a run. |
| 43.5 : M Santner to C Woakes, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 43.6 : M Santner to C Woakes, Pushes this wide of mid off for one more. Santner is done for the day with the ball - 10-0-65-1. |
| 44.1 : J Neesham to C Woakes, WIDE. Full and down the leg side, flick shot missed. |
| J Neesham to C Woakes, Outside off, punched off the back foot through the off side for a single. |
| 44.2 : J Neesham to E Morgan, Full and around off, Morgan looks to push it through the off side but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and scoots through mid-wicket. Just a run taken. |
| 44.3 : J Neesham to C Woakes, Outside off, dabbed to third man for one. |
| 44.4 : J Neesham to E Morgan, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for just a single. |
| 44.5 : J Neesham to C Woakes, OUT! Caught! New Zealand continue to squeeze England out. Another wicket falls. Full and outside off, Woakes looks to drive but the ball holds on the pitch a touch. As a result, he cannot control his shot and checks it. The ball flies off the face of the bat and Kane Williamson at mid off takes second catch of the day. |
| Liam Plunkett walks in at number 8, replacing Woakes. A couple of balls before, Liam was shadow practicing a lofted shot down the ground on the English balcony. |
| 44.6 : J Neesham to L Plunkett, Around off, solidly defended. Neesham is done with the ball as well - 10-1-41-2. |
| Trent Boult is back on. 8-0-34-2 so far. |
| 45.1 : T Boult to E Morgan, FOUR! Up and just over! Full and outside off, Morgan lofts it over mid off, but seems to mistime it. However, it goes over the fielder and races to the fence. |
| 0.0 : Mid off drops back now while third man comes up. |
| 45.2 : T Boult to E Morgan, On middle, pushed through mid on for a run. |
| 45.3 : T Boult to L Plunkett, A short ball, around middle, Plunkett looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. He plays half-pull, half-tuck and ends up getting a top edge. Luckily for him, it lobs over short mid-wicket and does not carry to deep mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 45.4 : T Boult to E Morgan, Full on middle, driven down the ground through mid on for a couple. |
| 45.5 : T Boult to E Morgan, FOUR! Second boundary of the over! England need more of these. A short ball, around off, Morgan swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary! |
| 45.6 : T Boult to E Morgan, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run. 13 from the over. |
| Matt Henry is back on. 8-0-36-1 so far. |
| 46.1 : M Henry to E Morgan, OUT! Superb catch! Morgan departs as well and now, England get into a whirlpool. Another example of the pitch slowing down. Full and outside off, Morgan looks to drive but the slow nature of the pitch causes the ball to hold up. However, the skipper is already through his shot and ends up checking it. The ball goes off the face of the bat over short extra cover but Mitchell Santner over there leaps to his right and takes a stunner. |
| 0.0 : Adil Rashid walks in at number 9, replacing Morgan. Will England be able to bat out their 50 overs? |
| 46.2 : M Henry to A Rashid, Outside off, Rashid steers it down to third man and races back for the second. There is a run out appeal at the keeper's end which is referred upstairs but Adil is well in. |
| 46.3 : M Henry to A Rashid, WIDE. Full and down the leg side, AR misses his flick. |
| M Henry to A Rashid, On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 46.4 : M Henry to L Plunkett, A short ball outside off, Plunkett looks to pull but misses. |
| 46.5 : M Henry to L Plunkett, Outside off, played behind point for a run. |
| 46.6 : M Henry to A Rashid, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| Fine leg back, long on back. What will be the length? |
| 47.1 : T Boult to L Plunkett, Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 0.0 : Fine leg gets finer. Boult comes over the wicket to angle it across the right-hander. |
| 47.2 : T Boult to A Rashid, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed. |
| T Boult to A Rashid, Full and outside off, Rashid reaches out and looks to go over cover. Ends up skewing it high in the air. Long off runs to his left and sweeper cover runs to his right but cannot get there. Two runs taken. |
| Predicto Praky - Just like Indian openers yesterday, the English openers today batted on the best part of the pitch and then the middle order struggled with the slowness. |
| 47.3 : T Boult to A Rashid, Outside off, Adil looks to run it down to third man but gets a bottom edge behind. A quick single taken. |
| 47.4 : T Boult to L Plunkett, Outside off, Plunkett looks to push but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps towards short fine leg. A run taken. |
| 47.5 : T Boult to A Rashid, DROPPED! But a tough catch. Full on middle, Rashid looks to loft but the ball hits the toe end of the bat again, like so many of his predecessors. Southee comes running in from long on but the ball moves in the air towards his right and he loses sight of it. In the end, he tries diving to his right but the ball bursts through his hand and goes down. Two runs taken. |
| 47.6 : T Boult to A Rashid, Flicks this away for a couple. |
| 48.1 : M Henry to A Rashid, FOUR! A boundary to start off the over. A length ball outside off, Rashid lofts it over cover. |
| 48.2 : M Henry to A Rashid, Outside off, pushed through point for a single. |
| 48.3 : M Henry to L Plunkett, FOUR! Finds the gap, finds the boundary! A short ball, around off, Plunkett pulls it through square leg and the ball meets the fence! |
| 48.4 : M Henry to L Plunkett, Another short ball, pulled away for a couple. |
| 48.5 : M Henry to L Plunkett, A top edge this time. Dropped short, around middle, Liam looks to pull but the extra bounce does the trick. Gets the top edge but it lands in no man's land near square leg. A run taken. |
| 48.6 : M Henry to A Rashid, One more short ball to end the over, pulled away through mid-wicket for a single. 13 from the over. Henry finishes with figures of 10-0-54-2. |
| Tim Southee to bowl the 49th over. 8-0-64-0 so far. |
| 49.1 : Tim Southee to A Rashid, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 49.2 : Tim Southee to L Plunkett, On middle, pushed through wide mid on. Normally, this would be a boundary but on this occasion, Williamson has kept a man exactly at wide long on. Just a run. |
| 49.3 : Tim Southee to A Rashid, OUT! BOWLED! Perfect yorker and Rashid is gone. This is at the base of middle stump, Adil looks to dig it out but the ball swings in, takes the inside edge, hits the boot and then deflects onto the stumps. Finally a wicket for Southee. |
| Just 3 deliveries to go and Jofra Archer comes in at number 10. |
| 49.4 : Tim Southee to J Archer, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single. |
| A referral for a run out. The man in question is Archer. Looks to be safe. |
| 49.5 : Tim Southee to L Plunkett, Safe as a house. Full and around middle, pushed through mid-wicket. The batsmen come back for the second and the throw is at the bowler's end. He takes the bails off and appeals and it is referred upstairs but replays show that Archer is well in. |
| 49.6 : Tim Southee to L Plunkett, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. ENGLAND ARE 'RESTRICTED' TO 305/8. |
| What a comeback from the Kiwis! England, from 194 for 1 in the 30th over, have finished with 305 for 8. Now that can only mean two things, either the wicket has slowed down quite a lot or it was a combination of both, good bowling and bad batting. New Zealand will dearly hope it is the latter whereas, the hosts will hope it is the former. Whatever it may be, I am not sure which side will be happy heading into the break at the moment. |
| Earlier in the day, England, after electing to bat, got off to the best starts possible. Their openers were batting at probably the best time to bat on this wicket, they cashed in and Roy and Bairstow added 123. The former once again failed to convert his start, the latter however, continued and built another good partnership with Root. The opener got to yet another ton but wickets of Root and Bairstow in quick succession, turned the tide completely. Runs scoring became very difficult, Buttler's |
| The New Zealand bowling was not that great to begin with! Their pacers were taken to the cleaners early on. Only Neesham and Boult bowled with some sort of control initially. The former was probably the pick of the bowlers. However, the bowlers did find their lines and lengths after the first of half the innings. Henry came back strongly, Southee and Santner also finished well but the two could have probably put in a better performance. Had that been the case, England might not have even gone pa |
| Now then 306 is the target! Only once in this World Cup has 300 been chased so which means, this is not going to be easy. New Zealand need to cash in against the new balls and for that, they will need their openers to fire today. Whereas, England know if they do well initially, the game will keep getting difficult for the visitors. Who will be our third Semi Finalists? Join us in a while to find out. For now, the man of the moment, Jonny Bairstow is down giving an interview to Ian Smith. |
| Jonny Bairstow says that he is disappointed not to have converted his century into a bigger one but is happy to have contributed to the team's cause. On the score, Bairstow is more or less confident that this can be defended and hopes that his bowlers learn from the Kiwis and imply their skills. Adds that cross-seam balls are the ones to go on this wicket and hopes that his team does the same. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase! The New Zealand openers, Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls make their way out to the middle. The right-hander will be on strike and he will be facing Chris Woakes who has the first new ball. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : C Woakes to M Guptill, Some swing for Woakes! The line and length is also good. It is around off and on a length. Shapes away. Guptill shoulders arms to it. |
| 0.2 : C Woakes to M Guptill, This is closer to the off pole, goes straight on and Guptill defends it out. |
| 0.3 : C Woakes to M Guptill, WIDE! New Zealand are underway courtesy an extra. This is down the leg side, Guptill lets it be and it has been wided. |
| C Woakes to M Guptill, This is extremely full and on off, Guptill jams it out to mid off. |
| 0.4 : C Woakes to M Guptill, Guptill is off the mark now! He pushes this length ball towards mid off and gets to the other end. So the swing has disappeared after the first ball. |
| 0.5 : C Woakes to H Nicholls, OUT! LBW! Perfect start for England. The umpire had his finger up immediately. Nicholls bags a golden duck. Woakes lands this on a length around middle, this one comes back in just a little. Nicholls hops as he looks to keep it out but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and the umpire rules it in the favor of the fielding side. HN and Guptill have a chat but time is up. Nicholls has to take the long walk back. Once again, a Kiwi opener departs early. |
| Kane Williamson is the new man in! The skipper needs to play a big innings here. |
| 0.6 : C Woakes to K Williamson, A dot to end a successful first over by Woakes. On a good length on off, this is defended onto the ground. |
| Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : J Archer to M Guptill, This is on the pads, Guptill looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 1.2 : J Archer to M Guptill, Good length and on middle, MG looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 1.3 : J Archer to M Guptill, Another length ball but this is outside off, Guptill leaves it alone. |
| 1.4 : J Archer to M Guptill, A sharp bumper now! Guptill was up for it as he ducks under it. |
| 1.5 : J Archer to M Guptill, Another length ball but outside off, Guptill shoulders arms to it. |
| 1.6 : J Archer to M Guptill, A couple now! A little too straight and on the body, Guptill works it behind square on the leg side and runs two. Tidy start by Archer. |
| 2.1 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Well bowled! This initially angles into the off pole but then leaves the batsman. Williamson sees the movement and shoulders arms to it. |
| 2.2 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Back of a length and on off, Williamson hops and defends it out. |
| 2.3 : C Woakes to K Williamson, A muted appeal! This lands on middle and then jags back in. Hits Williamson high on the pads. It rolls towards point but no runs taken. |
| 2.4 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Back of a length again on off, Williamson guides it to point. 4 dots in the over. |
| 2.5 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Three runs! Releases some pressure. Back of a length around off, Williamson stands tall and pushes it through cover-point. Stokes from point hares after it and saves a run for his side. |
| 2.6 : C Woakes to M Guptill, A dot to end another good over by Woakes. On a good length and on middle, this is defended. |
| 3.1 : J Archer to K Williamson, On the stumps, Williamson defends it. |
| 3.2 : J Archer to K Williamson, Another ball on a length and once again the stumps are attacked. Williamson blocks it out. |
| 3.3 : J Archer to K Williamson, Continues hitting the length hard and on off, Williamson guides it to point. England giving nothing away, exactly how they bowled in the last game. |
| 3.4 : J Archer to K Williamson, Good one! This is quick, short and right on the body, Williamson just about sways away. |
| 3.5 : J Archer to K Williamson, Goes back to bowling length and this is at 151 KPH. The batter lets it be. |
| 3.6 : J Archer to K Williamson, On the shorter side this time and on off, Williamson plays it well by getting on top of the bounce and guiding it to point. A maiden by Archer. Top-class bowling from the English bowlers. |
| 4.1 : C Woakes to M Guptill, Direct hit and Guptill would have been in trouble. He works this towards square leg and takes off. Guptill is not hurrying through, to his surprise, Plunkett picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end. Luckily for MG, he misses. |
| 4.2 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Back of a length on off, KW pushes it to covers. |
| 4.3 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Good length again on off, Williamson looks to defend inside the line but it goes off the outer half down to third man for one. |
| 4.4 : C Woakes to M Guptill, FOUR! Lovely, lovely shot! Woakes probably makes the mistake of overpitching this time, first loose ball by him. Guptill creams it past the bowler and it races away for the first boundary of the chase. |
| 4.5 : C Woakes to M Guptill, Good comeback! Goes back to bowling length and on off, it moves away a little. Guptill looks to defend but it goes off the outer half to point. |
| 4.6 : C Woakes to M Guptill, A dot to end a better over for New Zealand. This is on the pads, it is flicked towards mid-wicket. Plunkett misfields but no runs taken. |
| 5.1 : J Archer to K Williamson, Back of a length and on off, Williamson guides it down to third man and gets to the other end. |
| 5.2 : J Archer to M Guptill, OUT! Guptill has been caught down the leg side. That is a sensational catch by Buttler! Archer now has one and it is of the dangerous Guptill who fails to score a lot again. This is shortish and on the body, Guptill looks to flick but it goes off the glove to the left of Buttler who dives and takes a brilliant one-handed catch. New Zealand in big trouble here. 292 needed in 268 balls. |
| Ross Taylor is the new man in. |
| 5.3 : J Archer to R Taylor, Taylor is off the mark! Slightly fuller and on off, Ross drives it towards extra cover for one. |
| 5.4 : J Archer to K Williamson, Back of a length and on middle, Williamson defends it onto the ground. |
| 5.5 : J Archer to K Williamson, A bumper now but this is outside off, Williamson lets it be. |
| 5.6 : J Archer to K Williamson, Uppish but safe! Williamson could not get on top of the bounce there. This is shorter and on off, Williamson jumps and looks to force it through the off side but the ball goes off the outside edge down to third man for one. End of a successful over for Archer. |
| 6.1 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 6.2 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 6.3 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Another back foot punch finds the fielder. |
| 6.4 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Action replay of the last two deliveries. Kane is punching hard but finding the fielder. At cover every time. |
| 6.5 : C Woakes to K Williamson, FOUR! What a shot. Full and outside off, stays low, Williamson adjusts nicely and opens the face of the bat at the last moment. Gets it exactly between the keeper and first slip to the third man fence! |
| 6.6 : C Woakes to K Williamson, On the stumps this time and fuller, Williamson drives it to mid on. |
| 7.1 : J Archer to R Taylor, Good length and on off, Taylor defends it onto the ground. |
| 7.2 : J Archer to R Taylor, On the fuller side, Taylor pushes it to covers. |
| 7.3 : J Archer to R Taylor, On the stumps again, Taylor defends it to covers. |
| 7.4 : J Archer to R Taylor, On the shorter side and outside off, Taylor looks to pull it but misses. |
| 7.5 : J Archer to R Taylor, Goes back to bowling length and on off, Taylor defends it back to the bowler. |
| 7.6 : J Archer to R Taylor, A single to end! Outside off, Taylor guides it down to third man for one. |
| 8.1 : C Woakes to R Taylor, Another ball on a length and on off, Taylor defends it. |
| 8.2 : C Woakes to R Taylor, Leading edge but safe! This is angled into the pads, Taylor looks to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat a little early. It goes off the leading edge but wide of the diving bowler. |
| 8.3 : C Woakes to R Taylor, Nicely played! Shorter and around off, Taylor jumps and guides it down to third man for one. |
| 8.4 : C Woakes to K Williamson, FOUR! No need to run for those! Delightful! Fuller and on off, Williamson just shows the full face of the bat and hits it past mid off. The ball races away. A welcome boundary for New Zealand. |
| 8.5 : C Woakes to K Williamson, A couple now! This is on the pads, Williamson works it through square leg and takes two. |
| 8.6 : C Woakes to K Williamson, Good length and on off, Williamson keeps it out. A good over for New Zealand, 7 from it. |
| 9.1 : J Archer to R Taylor, Is that a drop? Not sure! Rashid actually ends up saving two runs there and it is not a drop also. This is on the pads, Taylor works it towards square leg. Rashid there dives to his right and makes a half-stop. Two taken by the batters. |
| 9.2 : J Archer to R Taylor, FOUR! Caressed! Runs coming now for the Kiwis. This is fuller and on off, Taylor leans into it and strokes it through covers. |
| 9.3 : J Archer to R Taylor, Good batting! Follows the boundary with a quick single by pushing the ball towards mid on. |
| 9.4 : J Archer to K Williamson, Williamson now takes one as he works it towards mid on. |
| 9.5 : J Archer to R Taylor, Another single! Taylor though did not have a clue about where the ball went. This is shorter and on middle, Taylor looks to fend at it by taking his eyes off the ball. It goes off the glove towards fine leg for one. |
| 9.6 : J Archer to K Williamson, A dot to end but another good over for New Zealand! This is short and on middle, Williamson evades it. So England have dominated the first 10. New Zealand are 37 for 2. England on the other hand were 67 for 0. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. |
| Liam Plunkett is on now! |
| 10.1 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Length ball, defended towards cover off the front foot |
| 10.2 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Length ball outside off, guides towards third man for a single. |
| 10.3 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, Short length ball outside off, inside edge onto the ground. |
| 10.4 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, Williamson takes the single. Plays the ball to third man. |
| 10.5 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Defends the ball to backword point |
| 10.6 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Good length ball, Taylor gets down and guides to third man for a single |
| Mark Wood is brought on! Double change by England. |
| 11.1 : M Wood to R Taylor, False start for him as he bowls this down the leg side. Taylor lets it be and it has been wided. |
| M Wood to R Taylor, This is on the pads, Taylor looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It goes towards Buttler who dives to his left and makes a half-stop. Can't stop the leg bye though. The bowler did appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 11.2 : M Wood to K Williamson, FOUR! How good was that shot? This is just outside off and shorter in length. Williamson goes back, plays it late and guides it past point for a boundary. |
| 11.3 : M Wood to K Williamson, Once again plays it late, this time he works it through square leg for one. |
| 11.4 : M Wood to R Taylor, Back of a length on middle, Taylor goes back and defends it. |
| 11.5 : M Wood to R Taylor, Attacks the off stump again, Taylor gets his bat down and defends it. |
| 11.6 : M Wood to R Taylor, Three dots to end! This is fuller and on middle, Taylor works it towards mid-wicket. So a good comeback by the bowler after going for a boundary on the second ball. |
| 12.1 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, On the shorter side and outside off, Williamson cuts it through cover-point for one. |
| 12.2 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, The ball is pitched on a good length on the stumps, it is hit to mid on. |
| 12.3 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, The ball is outside off and hit to the point region where the fielder misfields but stops the ball, single taken. |
| 12.4 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, Driven through covers for a single. |
| 12.5 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Taylor goes onto the backfoot and cuts the ball to the point region for a single. |
| 12.6 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, On off stump, the batter defends the ball to mid on. |
| 13.1 : M Wood to R Taylor, Good length and on middle, Taylor defends it. |
| 13.2 : M Wood to R Taylor, This is fuller and on the pads, Taylor works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 13.3 : M Wood to K Williamson, Good delivery! This is shorter and on the body, takes off after pitching. Williamson looks to nudge it but it goes off the glove, uppishly but in the vacant square leg region for one. |
| 13.4 : M Wood to R Taylor, Hesitation but no harm done! This is a good length ball around off, Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half wide of third man. They take one and Taylor wants a second. Williamson takes off late. The fielder throws it to Buttler who hits the stumps at the other end but Williamson is in. |
| 13.5 : M Wood to R Taylor, Shorter in length and outside off, Taylor looks to cut but it goes off the under edge towards third man for one. |
| 13.6 : M Wood to K Williamson, A dot to end! This is angled into the batter, Williamson works it to mid-wicket. |
| 14.1 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Taylor misses out there! This is shorter and outside off, Taylor looks to cut but misses. He was guilty of going too hard at it there. |
| 14.2 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, This is closer to the off pole, Taylor guides it down to third man for one. |
| 14.3 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, Good shot but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Williamson drives it right off the middle but to covers. |
| 14.4 : L Plunkett to K Williamson, Plunkett continues bowling it outside off, Williamson slaps it through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 14.5 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Easy two! Taylor plays this late and through backward point. Third man is quite fine so till the time he gets across, the batters take two. |
| 14.6 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Taylor misses out on another one! This is on the pad, Taylor looks to flick but misses. The ball hits the pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| The ball has deflected off the bowler's hand onto the stumps at the non-striker's end. Is Williamson short? Big moment in the chase. Kane is seen shaking his head. Does he reckon he is gone? Oh dear... here come the replays. The ball has brushed the fingers and Williamson's bat is in the air! |
| 15.1 : M Wood to R Taylor, OUT! Williamson is a goner! He is short and this is a body blow for New Zealand. In one of the most unfortunate manners. The stand which was going well has been cut short. This is fuller and on middle, Taylor drives it back to the right of the bowler who sticks his hand out, it brushes the fingers and hits the stumps at his end. He appeals and indicates to the umpire that it has kissed his finger. He takes it upstairs. Williamson looks worried. Replays show that the bow |
| 0.0 : Tom Latham walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper. |
| 15.2 : M Wood to R Taylor, BEATEN! Well bowled! This around off and it straightens. Taylor looks to defend inside the line but gets beaten. |
| 15.3 : M Wood to R Taylor, FOUR! Good short! A controlled pull shot! This is on middle, Taylor gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, dives but his effort goes in vain. |
| 15.4 : M Wood to R Taylor, Back of a length on off, this is guided to point. |
| 15.5 : M Wood to R Taylor, This is on middle, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 15.6 : M Wood to Tom Latham, A couple now! This is on middle, Latham works it through mid-wicket. Stokes in the deep does not field it cleanly and the batters take two. 7 runs from the over but a huge wicket from it. |
| 16.1 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Outside off, Taylor slashes but misses. |
| 16.2 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, On the off side, plays it to third man. |
| 16.3 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, Ball on good length just outside off, pushed to covers. Good over by Plunkett till now. |
| A suicidal run and Taylor is surely short! The England players are celebrating but the umpires have taken it upstairs. Ross is already walking off. |
| 16.4 : L Plunkett to R Taylor, OUT! Another run out! The last one might be unlucky but this was suicide. Taylor gets the ball on his pads and he flicks the ball to deep square leg. The fielder picks it up and throws it to the strikers end quickly, and even though Taylor put in the dive he was clearly out. Why Taylor took such a risk only he knows! |
| Jimmy Neesham walks in at number 6, replacing Taylor. |
| 16.5 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, Full ball on off stump, jammed out to point. |
| 16.6 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, On the pads, Neesham works it through square leg and gets off the mark. Back-to-back successful overs for England. |
| Interesting. Joe Root to bowl his offies. |
| 17.1 : Joe Root to J Neesham, Flatter and on off, this is kept out. |
| 17.2 : Joe Root to J Neesham, Shorter on off, Neesham pushes it to covers. |
| 17.3 : Joe Root to J Neesham, This is flatter and on middle, Neesham looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.4 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, Latham plays the paddle sweep fine on the leg side for one. |
| 17.5 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, This is floated up on middle, Latham hits it down to long on for one. |
| 17.6 : Joe Root to J Neesham, Another single as Neesha hits it to long on. |
| Adil Rashid is on now! |
| 18.1 : A Rashid to J Neesham, Short and around off, it is the googly, Neesham looks to cut but ends up chopping it to covers. |
| 18.2 : A Rashid to J Neesham, Down the leg side, Neesham works it fine on the leg side and takes two. |
| 18.3 : A Rashid to J Neesham, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 18.4 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, Another single as Latham works it with the turn through square leg. |
| 18.5 : A Rashid to J Neesham, This is flatter and on off, James strokes it towards wide mid off for one. |
| 18.6 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, FOUR! Lovely shot! Ends to be a good over for New Zealand. This is shorter and around off, Latham goes back and pushes it through covers for a boundary. 9 runs from the over. |
| 19.1 : Joe Root to J Neesham, This is on the pads, Neesham looks to flick but it goes off the leading edge, a soft one to the bowler. |
| 19.2 : Joe Root to J Neesham, This time does manage to work it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 19.3 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, On the pads, Latham looks to sweep but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. |
| 19.4 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, On the pads, Latham works it through square leg and takes one. |
| 19.5 : Joe Root to J Neesham, Flatter and quicker outside off, Neesham slaps it to covers. |
| 19.6 : Joe Root to J Neesham, The last ball is tossed up on off, Neesham hits it down to long off for one. |
| 20.1 : A Rashid to J Neesham, Picks the googly and pushes it through covers for one. |
| 20.2 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, Well tried Buttler! Latham plays the paddle fine on the leg side. Buttler sees it early and he moves early to his right and tries to stop it but fails to do so and the batters take two. |
| 20.3 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, Looks to play the sweep again but this time misses to get hit high on the pads. Buttler was once again moving to his left to stop the ball. |
| 20.4 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, FOUR! Good punch. This is shorter and quicker on off, Latham goes back and pushes it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary. Rashid has started expensively. |
| 20.5 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, Now a couple! This is a little too full on middle, Latham works this through mid-wicket for two. |
| 20.6 : A Rashid to Tom Latham, Edgy run! This is floated on off, it is the googly. Latham looks to defend but due to the turn away. It goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one. |
| 21.1 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 21.2 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, Landed outside off, Latham comes down the track and looks to drive but yorks himself. Hits it towards cover. |
| 21.3 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, Fractionally short, around off, pulled through mid-wicket. Good running fielding by Jonny Bairstow to his right. Just a single. |
| 21.4 : Joe Root to J Neesham, FOUR! Fine shot. Short and outside off, Neesham rocks back and cuts it through cover for a boundary! |
| 21.5 : Joe Root to J Neesham, Another terrific piece of fielding by Bairstow. Jimmy tucks this short ball through wide mid on but Jonny hares in from the deep and keeps the batsmen to just a run. |
| 21.6 : Joe Root to Tom Latham, Outside off, pushed through mid on for one more. |
| Liam Plunkett is back into the attack! |
| 22.1 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, This is on the pads, Latham works it towards fine leg for one. |
| 22.2 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, Good length and on middle, Neesham defends it. |
| 22.3 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, On a good length and around off, Neesham guides it down to third man and gets to the other end. |
| 22.4 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, Good length and on off, Latham keeps it out. |
| 22.5 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, On middle, the batter works it to mid-wicket. |
| 22.6 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, Good running! This is worked behind square on the leg side, the batters take one quickly and then go for the second. They complete it. |
| Mark Wood is back! |
| 23.1 : M Wood to J Neesham, Shorter and on middle, Neesham ducks under it. |
| 23.2 : M Wood to J Neesham, Back of a length on off, this is guided to point. |
| 23.3 : M Wood to J Neesham, The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads They pick up a single. The umpire signals a leg bye. |
| 23.4 : M Wood to Tom Latham, The batsman works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total. |
| 23.5 : M Wood to Tom Latham, Lovely fielding! On the pads, Latham flicks it through mid-wicket. Root in the deep, runs to his right, dives and saves a run for his side. |
| 23.6 : M Wood to J Neesham, A run to end as Neesham works it through square leg. |
| 24.1 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, Drop and run! Back of a length on off, Neesham plays it on the off side and takes one. |
| 24.2 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, WIDE! This is down the leg side, Latham looks to flick but misses. |
| L Plunkett to Tom Latham, A little too straight again, Latham works it down to fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 24.3 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, A little too straight, Neesham works it to mid-wicket. |
| 24.4 : L Plunkett to J Neesham, On the pads again, Neesham flicks it towards backward square leg and takes one. The 50-run stand is up, it has come in good time as well, just the 49 balls. Needs to keep going though. |
| 24.5 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, FOUR! Excellent effort in the fielder but all in vain! An exquisite shot. Just behind a driving length on off, Latham leans into it and strokes it through covers. Root in the deep runs to his left, dives but is unable to stop the ball. |
| 24.6 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, A dot to end a decent over for New Zealand! On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 25.1 : M Wood to J Neesham, OUT! BOWLED! Mark finds the wood as Neesham chops it on. Another wicket falls due to lack of pace on the track. This is on a length outside off, Jimmy looks to punch it through the off side but is early into the shot as the ball comes on very slowly. An inside edge is induced which disturbs the stumps. This might now result in a massive defeat. 183 still needed, from 149 balls. |
| 0.0 : Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 7, replacing Neesham. |
| 25.2 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, Nips back in, from outside off, de Grandhomme looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A slight appeal from Wood but nothing much. Going down leg. |
| 25.3 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, Outside off, a slash and a miss from Colin. |
| 25.4 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, Wood is down, hence cannot stop that one cleanly. Full on middle, de Grandhomme drives it straight down the ground. Mark slips and the ball is to his right. Cannot stop it and the batsmen take a single down the ground. |
| 25.5 : M Wood to Tom Latham, Around middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 25.6 : M Wood to Tom Latham, Another back foot defense to end the over. Just a run and a wicket from the over, Wood's figures read 5-0-25-1. |
| 26.1 : L Plunkett to de Grandhomme, A muted appeal but nothing! This is down the leg side, Colin looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads and goes to Buttler. |
| 26.2 : L Plunkett to de Grandhomme, A yorker on middle, this is jammed out to covers. |
| 26.3 : L Plunkett to de Grandhomme, BEATEN! Shorter and outside, Colin de Grandhomme looks to push but is beaten. |
| 26.4 : L Plunkett to de Grandhomme, This is on the pads, Colin looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 26.5 : L Plunkett to de Grandhomme, Gets bat to this one, pushes it through covers and takes one. |
| 26.6 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, Another leg bye! This is on the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken. |
| 27.1 : M Wood to Tom Latham, Good length and just outside off, Latham looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge down to third man for one. |
| 27.2 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, A good bumper, Colin initially looks to pull but then evades it. |
| 27.3 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, Cut hard but straight to point! Shorter and around off, Colin slaps it but to the fielder. |
| 27.4 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, This is angled into the batsman, Colin de Grandhomme works it to mid-wicket. |
| 27.5 : M Wood to de Grandhomme, Another back of a length ball on off, Colin guides it towards point and takes one. |
| 27.6 : M Wood to Tom Latham, One more short one on middle, Latham ducks under it. |
| Ben Stokes is on now! |
| 28.1 : Ben Stokes to de Grandhomme, OUT! Straight to the man! The local boy strikes on his first ball itself. He can't believe that he has got a wicket on that delivery. It is a loosener, it is short and on middle, Colin de Grandhomme looks to pull it over the square leg fence but hits it straight to Root in the deep. |
| 0.0 : Mitchell Santner is the new man in. |
| 28.2 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Back of a length on middle, Latham defends it out. |
| 28.3 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, A single as Latham pushes it through covers for one. |
| 28.4 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, On the shorter side and on middle, Santner ducks under it. |
| 28.5 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Back of a length on off, Santner pushes it to covers. |
| 28.6 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Shorter and outside off, it is way too short and it has been wided. |
| Ben Stokes to M Santner, On middle, Stokes works it towards mid-wicket. |
| Jofra Archer is back! |
| 29.1 : J Archer to Tom Latham, This is down the leg side, Latham looks to flick but misses. Wided. |
| J Archer to Tom Latham, On the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 29.2 : J Archer to M Santner, Good length and on off, it is kept out. |
| 29.3 : J Archer to M Santner, Another one on the stumps, Santner defends it out. |
| 29.4 : J Archer to M Santner, A good short one on middle, Santner evades it. |
| 29.5 : J Archer to M Santner, On the bounce! This is on the pads, MS works it uppishly but on the bounce to mid-wicket. |
| 29.6 : J Archer to M Santner, Another dot as this back of a length delivery is pushed to covers. |
| 30.1 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Defended. |
| 30.2 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Ball swinging into the batter, pushed back. |
| 30.3 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, This time the ball drifts onto the pads but Latham can not put it away, plays it to square leg. Single taken. |
| 30.4 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Wide ball on a length outside off, played to the deep point fielder for a single. |
| 30.5 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Short ball, Santner tries to hook and skies it, but the ball drops safe. Single taken. |
| 30.6 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Good length ball on the pads, pushed to mid wicket. |
| 31.1 : J Archer to Tom Latham, Back of a length on off, this is guided to point. |
| 31.2 : J Archer to Tom Latham, A short one on middle, Latham ducks under it. |
| 31.3 : J Archer to Tom Latham, Good length and on off, it is kept out. |
| 31.4 : J Archer to Tom Latham, This is on middle, Latham works it to mid-wicket. |
| 31.5 : J Archer to M Santner, Fuller and on off, Santner hits it to mid off. |
| 31.6 : J Archer to M Santner, Back of a length and on middle, Santner blocks it out. |
| DRINKS! Boringgggg. That is what the scenario is, right now. Neither are the batsmen able to get the boundaries nor are the wickets falling. The defeat is looming large on the wall and perhaps the Kiwis can try and bat out their 50 overs and reduce the defeat margin, so that it gets tougher for Pakistan to get through, even if they beat Bangladesh on Friday. |
| 32.1 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, A leg bye as the ball hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. |
| 32.2 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, The ball is pitched on a good length just outside off, Santner hits it to the covers and calls for a quick single. Woakes takes a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end but misses. |
| 32.3 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Santner pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 32.4 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Length ball on the off stump. Pushed back to the bowler. Dot balls won't work for New Zealand at this stage of the game. |
| 32.5 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Santner looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 32.6 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Short ball close to the body. Santner does well to keep it down as he pushes it to third man. |
| Chris Woakes is back on now! |
| 33.1 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, This is fuller and on the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 33.2 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, A little too straight and this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 33.3 : C Woakes to M Santner, Fuller on off, Santner strokes it towards wide mid off for one. |
| 33.4 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, Leading edge but safe! Latham looks to work it on the leg side with the angle but closes the face of the bat early, it goes off the leading edge but short of point. |
| 33.5 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, FOUR! Back past the bowler! Fuller and on middle, it is the slower one. Latham waits for it and strokes it past mid on for a boundary. |
| A huge roar goes around the ground as a streaker has come on the field. Hence, we will have to wait till he is moved out. |
| 33.6 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, A single to end the over as Latham works it towards deep backward square leg. |
| 34.1 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Slower one, Latham works it to mid on. |
| 34.2 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Short ball on the off-side, Latham looks to pull it to the boundary but the man inside the circle at square leg stops it. |
| 34.3 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, A quick single to mid on. |
| 34.4 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Full length ball on the off side, tried to hit through the covers but stopped inside the circle. |
| 34.5 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Uppish but safe! Santner looks to flick but it goes off the upper part towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.6 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Full ball on offside, stopped at the covers. |
| 35.1 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, BEATEN! Good length and outside off, Latham looks to drive but leaves a gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through. |
| 35.2 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, Fuller on off, Latham strokes it to covers. |
| 35.3 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, On the fuller side, this is hit to mid on for an easy run. |
| 35.4 : C Woakes to M Santner, Another fuller length delivery on off, Santner hits it hard to mid off. |
| 35.5 : C Woakes to M Santner, Another good length on off, MS defends it out. Santner seems to have decided to play out the 50 overs, |
| 35.6 : C Woakes to M Santner, Nice fielding! Santner chips this over mid-wicket. The fielder at mid on runs after it and saves a run. |
| 36.1 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, A short ball, around off, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 36.2 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Good length ball on the off side, pushed back to the bowler by Latham. New Zealand need to get a move on here. |
| 36.3 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, Pacy from Stokes. That zipped through to Jos Buttler. Short and outside off, Latham looks to pull but misses. |
| 36.4 : Ben Stokes to Tom Latham, 50 comes up for Latham! It is his 15th ODI fifty. This is a hard fought innings by him. The ball was pitched shortish on the off side and Latham pulls the ball to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 36.5 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, A bouncer on middle, ducked under. |
| 36.6 : Ben Stokes to M Santner, Full length ball on the pads. Santner swings the bat but misses it and it hits his pads. |
| 37.1 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, This is on the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 37.2 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, Shorter and on off, Latham pushes it wide of the sweeper and takes two. |
| 37.3 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, FOUR! New Zealand need a lot more! This is fuller and on middle, Latham works it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 37.4 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, This one is also angled into the batter, Latham works it to mid-wicket. |
| 37.5 : C Woakes to Tom Latham, Shorter and on middle, TL pushes it through mid on for one. |
| 37.6 : C Woakes to M Santner, FOUR! Santner gets a boundary now! This is on a length and outside off, MS strokes it through covers and the ball races away. Bairstow does put in a dive to stop it but his effort goes in vain. He is in some pain now as he is seen holding his shoulder. 11 from the over, still less than the run rate needed. |
| Liam Plunkett is back on. 7-0-26-0 so far. |
| 38.1 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, Full and around off, coming in, watchfully defended. |
| 38.2 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, Length ball on the off side, Latham pushes it down the ground to mid off. |
| 38.3 : L Plunkett to Tom Latham, OUT c Jos Buttler b Liam Plunkett. New Zealand have lost their seventh wicket. |
| Into the bowlers. Tim Southee is the first of them. Ooops... Plunkett comes running in but is blocked by the umpire. Southee was not ready. Let us get ready for either some cheap wickets or some entertaining strokes. |
| 38.4 : L Plunkett to Tim Southee, Length ball on the off stump, defended well by Southee on his first ball. |
| 38.5 : L Plunkett to Tim Southee, Full and around middle, flicked through square leg for a single. |
| 38.6 : L Plunkett to M Santner, The ball is pitched at short of a length and is going down the leg side, Santner uppishly plays it from his hips towards deep square leg for a single |
| Mark Wood is back into the attack! 6-0-27-1 are his figures. |
| 39.1 : M Wood to M Santner, Good nut to begin with! From around the wicket, he initially angles it into the batter, gets it to leave Santner after pitching. Mitchell plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 0.0 : UDRS for LBW. Looks dead plumb and Santner is already walking. But he is stopped by Southee and they want another look. From around the wicket, flick shot missed. Does not look to be missing any stump. No spike on the Ultra Edge when the ball passes the bat. Missing off stump! But hitting leg and middle. Santner can resume walking. |
| 39.2 : M Wood to M Santner, OUT! Southee should have let Santner continue his walk because Hawk Eye returns with three reds. He now takes New Zealand's only review along with him. Wood gets his second. He comes running in and lands it outside off, it skids through. Santner shuffles across and looks to flick but misses. An appeal and the umpire raises the finger. Santner starts walking but Tim asks his to review. Santner does so but to no effect as replays show it to be hitting the leg pole. 8 dow |
| Matt Henry is the new man in. |
| 39.3 : M Wood to M Henry, Gets off the mark with a lovely shot. Fuller and on off, Henry strokes it through covers. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and pushes it back in. The batters take three. The umpires go upstairs to check if Root has done well, replays show that he has. |
| 39.4 : M Wood to Tim Southee, Shortish and down the leg side, Southee looks to pull but misses. Wided. |
| M Wood to Tim Southee, Good length and on off, this is pushed through covers for one. |
| 39.5 : M Wood to M Henry, Another cracking stroke! Fuller and around off, Henry hits it hard to covers. |
| 39.6 : M Wood to M Henry, A slower one to end on middle, Henry pushes it to mid on. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 50th over. Don't think the game will last till there though. Also, Adil Rashid is back on. |
| 40.1 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, Floats it up on off, TS hits it to long off for one. |
| 40.2 : A Rashid to M Henry, The googly, Henry seems to have picked it as he works it with the turn towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 40.3 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, Another tossed up ball on off, Southee hits it down to long off again and takes one. |
| 40.4 : A Rashid to M Henry, The slider on middle, Henry pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 40.5 : A Rashid to M Henry, Slows it up on off, it pitches and then turns away. Henry prods forward to defend but gets beaten. |
| 40.6 : A Rashid to M Henry, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 41.1 : M Wood to M Henry, Shorter and outside off, Henry looks to upper cut but misses. |
| 41.2 : M Wood to M Henry, A good short one, follows the batter. Henry takes his eyes off and tries to fend at it. It goes off the gloves towards the leg side for one. |
| 41.3 : M Wood to Tim Southee, Another short one on middle, Southee evades it. |
| 41.4 : M Wood to Tim Southee, Fuller and on off, Southee hits it to mid off. |
| 41.5 : M Wood to Tim Southee, On the off pole, Southee guides it to point. |
| 41.6 : M Wood to Tim Southee, Another short one and on the body, Southee looks to evade it but leaves his bat hanging out. It hits the handle and goes to point. |
| 42.1 : A Rashid to M Henry, Floats it up on middle, the batter hits it to mid on. |
| 42.2 : A Rashid to M Henry, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. |
| 42.3 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, On the stumps, this is blocked. |
| 42.4 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, The googly on middle, it turns back in. Southee looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 42.5 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, Another tossed up ball on off, Southee looks to go big but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one. |
| 42.6 : A Rashid to M Henry, BEATEN! The googly outside off, it pitches and turns back in. Henry misses as he looks to drive. It goes over the leg stump. Buttler fails to collect it and it goes towards fine leg for two. Byes signaled. |
| 43.1 : M Wood to T Southee, On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 43.2 : M Wood to T Southee, Good length and on off, Southee guides it to point. |
| 43.3 : M Wood to T Southee, On off, this is hit through covers for one. |
| 43.4 : M Wood to M Henry, OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit stuff! Wood bowls it fuller and on middle, Henry backs away and looks to hit it on the off side but misses. The stumps are disturbed. |
| Trent Boult is the last man in. |
| 43.5 : M Wood to T Boult, Around middle, in line of the stumps, punched straight to cover. |
| 43.6 : M Wood to T Boult, Full and outside off, pushed back watchfully. |
| 44.1 : A Rashid to Tim Southee, Floats it up on middle, Southee hits it down to long on for one. |
| 44.2 : A Rashid to T Boult, Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of it, Boult nicely defends it. |
| 44.3 : A Rashid to T Boult, Uses his feet again and swings with the spin this time but gets hit on the pads. |
| 44.4 : A Rashid to T Boult, FOUR! Nice shot. He may have picked the googly, once again goes with the turn. Brings the slog sweep out and it goes over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 44.5 : A Rashid to T Boult, Boult comes down the track again but Rashid spots that. He bowls it short and Boult blocks it out. |
| 44.6 : A Rashid to T Boult, OUT! STUMPED! Boult is short! Rashid gets the last wicket. Boult again uses his feet and Rashid this time tosses it up. He gets it to land just behind the batsman's reach. Boult looks to defend but the ball turns away and beats the outside edge. Buttler collects the ball and whips the bails off. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show that Boult has not made it in. ENGLAND WIN BY 119 RUNS! |
| The crowd roars. A massive, massive win for England. Comprehensive is the word. By 119 runs. The team touted to play the final is indeed back on track. Fist pumps between the English players and now, time for the handshakes. |
| Not many would have expected England to lose today after they were 194/1 after 30 overs. But when they started to lose momentum after Joe Root's wicket, it did seem like they were going off track. They mustered 305, which seemed to be 70-80 runs shy but their bowling, which was supposed to be their weak link in this tournament, came good once again. |
| Chasing a big total, a good start is always needed and that is one thing which the Kiwis have never got in this tournament. Guptill's poor form is a big worry and it was not any great in this match either. In next to no time, the Black Caps slipped to 14/2. As usual, Williamson and Taylor needed to resurrect and they tried their best but could not do much. Once they fell, the innings just fell apart. Only Tom Latham managed to cross 50, in a list of just 5 batsmen who reached double figures. The |
| England were excellent with the ball. Sorry. Balls (2 you see). I keep forgetting that due to so much of T20 cricket around. Woakes and Archer set the tone early with disciplined bowling while Plunkett and Wood ensured that there was no let up in pressure. Wood was the beneficiary of being the highest wicket-taker of the match with 3 scalps. |
| Earlier in the day, a Jonny Bairstow century and a 123-run opening stand floored New Zealand. Though, the latter did come back with some excellent bowling display but Bairstow and Roy had done enough damage. Bairstow also became the first English player to score back-to-back World Cup hundreds and here he is, talking to Michael Atherton. |
| JONNY BAIRSTOW HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Bairstow says he is very pleased and they knew that the last two games are must-win ones and the performances they have put in a few games haven't been uppo the mark, but adds the last two matches have been very good. On how important the toss is, he says the toss of the coin can go either way, on a different day they could have been bowling first and you never know what could have happened but today they batted first and it all went well. Stat |
| New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, admits that it is not easy to recover after three successive losses but wants his side to learn from those games and move forward. On being asked whether England got the best of the conditions, Williamson agrees but quickly says that the home side was much better in all departments than his own. Praises the English top order for being so dominant. On being asked whether he felt that New Zealand had a chance to win at the halfway stage, Kane says that definit |
| Victorious England captain, Eoin Morgan believes that England played unbelievably today. Is admiring the stand between Roy and Bairstow which enabled his side to be on top despite losing their way in the last 30 overs of the first innings. On England being forced to adapt to defending totals more than preferring to chase, Morgan bluntly says that he believes that his side can do both - defend or chase - depending on how good or bad the pitch gets in the second innings. On England's chances in th |
| ENGLAND REACH AN ODI WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL AFTER 27 YEARS! Do they believe they can win their first ever crown in this format? They have locked the third place for now and will be awaiting either Australia or India on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 10.30 am local (0930 GMT). As far as this Thursday is concerned, that is July 4, it is a dead rubber. Afghanistan take on West Indies in Match 42 at Headingley. Join us at 10.30 am local (0930 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
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