Calcutta/Cardiff: England produced an all-round performance to hammer New Zealand by 87 runs and storm into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, here, on Tuesday.
Asked to bat first, Jos Buttler provided a late flourish with a quickfire unbeaten 61 after Joe Root scored a fluent half-century to propel England to 310.
Later, England came out with purpose and produced a fine bowling and fielding display to bundle out New Zealand for 223 in 44.3 overs in this Group A match. The win meant England became the first team to qualify for the last four with two wins from as many matches.
With one point in their kitty, New Zealand will now have to win their last group match against Bangladesh and hope England beat Australia in order to progress to the knock-out stage of the tournament.
Chasing an imposing 311, New Zealand did not have the best of starts as they lost Luke Ronchi in the first over, bowled by Jake Ball (2/31). Martin Guptill (27) too did not have a great time at the crease as he departed in the 14th over, caught by Root off the bowling of Ben Stokes. Then came in skipper Kane Williamson (87 off 98 balls) and he showed intent. Together with Ross Taylor (39), Williamson stitched 95 runs for the third wicket to keep New Zealand in the hunt.
But just when it seemed the duo were in course to take New Zealand ahead, Williamson edged one to Root behind the stumps off the bowling of Mark Wood (1/32).
Williamson’s dismissal marked New Zealand’s downfall as Taylor departed soon after, caught by Root off Ball’s bowling. Thereafter, it was an uphill task for New Zealand as the asking rate kept on creeping up.
James Neesham, Neil Broom and Correy Anderson tried hard to dig New Zealand out of trouble, but their contributions were not good enough. Liam Plunkett also was one of the England bowlers to look out for with figures of four for 55.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid also picked up two crucial wickets, giving away just 47 . runs from his 10 overs.
Earlier, Buttler’s knock which came off just 48 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes. He provided the much-needed impetus to England’s innings in order to get past the 300-run mark.
After England were put in, Root continued his good form and followed up his 133 not out against Bangladesh with a 65-ball 64 and together with Hales (56 off 62 balls), shared 81 runs for the second wicket to set the base for England after the early dismissal of Jason Roy (13).
Root decorated his innings with four boundaries and two sixes, while Hales struck three fours and two hits over the fence. Buttler and Root stitched 54 runs for the fourth wicket before the Black Caps picked up wickets at regular intervals to put the brakes on the England innings.
But Buttler ensured England gain the psychological advantage by going past 300 with a crucial 49-run stand off just 30 balls for the eighth wicket with Plunkett (15).
Rubbing salt into New Zealand's wounds, match referee Andy Pycroft fined the Black Caps for their slow over-rate. The fine was imposed after New Zealand were ruled to be two overs short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration, said an ICC release.
Williamson has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his teammates were handed 20 per cent fines.
