After winning the toss and opting to bat first in this World Cup clash against New Zealand, England managed to put on 305/8 in their 50 overs. In the run chase, New Zealand have managed to score 123,/4 till the end of 25 overs with James Neesham (19) and Tom Latham (35) in the middle.
For England, Jonny Bairstow scored a century to propel them to a challenging total on the board. Bairstow’s ton was equally well supported by his opening partner Jason Roy (60) and a handy knock from captain Eoin Morgan (42).
At one stage, England looked all set to cruise past 350 but Kiwi bowlers made a came back with a superb display of disciplined bowling. Matt Henry, Trent Boult and James Neesham picked a couple of wickets each.
Coming out to chase 306, New Zealand’s pathetic run in the top order continued. Henry Nicholls departed for a duck with only one run on the scoreboard. Soon after, when only 13 more runs were added to the total, Martin Guptill was dismissed.
When Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor had just about revived New Zealand’s innings and looked all set to accelerate keeping an eye on the rising required rate, Williamson was run out at the non-striker’s end as a shot by Ross Taylor brushed the bowler’s fingers and hit the wickets as Williamson was found short of his crease.
Williamson’s wicket fell when the scoreboard had 61 runs to New Zealand’s credit. Soon after Ross Taylor too was run out, trying to steal a run which was never there.
With the scoreboard pressure on and the in-form Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor already back in the pavilion, it is going to be a stern task ahead for the Kiwis.
Notably, a spot in the World cup semi-final is at stake. It is for that coveted spot that both the teams are eyeing this match as a virtual quarter-final.
However, a defeat may still leave either team to qualify but both the teams would want to be the masters of their own destiny rather than depend on the result of the Pakistan-Bangladesh match.
Can the Kiwis weave some magic to pull this off or will the Englishmen be clinical enough to seal a win?
A bit more of riveting cricket action will reveal.