Sports Reporter :
England reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20 defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in the first semi-final at Delhi in India on Wednesday.
Sent into bat first, New Zealand made a fighting 153 for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, England sailed home making 159 for the loss of three wickets when they had 17 balls to spare.
England made a formidable start with the two openers JJ Roy and AD Hales put on together 82 runs in the
opening stand before AD Hales was caught at the long-on by Colin Munro off MJ Santner. After departure of Hales, JJ Roy and JE Root added together 28 runs before JJ Roy was cleanly bowled out by IS Sodhi when England’s total was 110 for the loss of two wickets. Roy hit a terrific 78. His 44-ball innings was laced with 11 fours and two sixes.
Then EJG Morgan (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Sodhi when England’s score was 110 for the loss of three wickets.
JC Buttler remained unbeaten with 32. His 17-ball innings was decorated with three sixes and two fours.
JE Root remained unbeaten with 27. He hit three fours in his 22-ball knock. AD Hales scored 20 from 19 balls including one six and one four. Sodhi bagged two wickets conceding 42 runs while Santner got one wicket for 28 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand had a shaky start as the Kiwis lost their opener MJ Guptil (15) when New Zealand’s score was 17.
Then KS Williamson and Colin Munro rescued their team from debacle contributing together 74 runs for the second wicket partnership before Williamson was caught & bowled by Moeen Ali when New Zealand’s total was 91 for the loss of two wickets.
After dismissal of Williamson, Colin Munro was caught at the third-man by Moeen Ali off LE Plunkett when the Kiwis’ score was 107 for the loss of three wickets.
Munro notched up a marvelous 46. His 32-ball innings was ornamented with seven fours and a sixer.
Williamson made a fine 32. His 28-ball knock was studded with three fours and a six.
Corey Anderson was the other batsman of New Zealand who shone with the willow. He hit a polished 28 from 23 balls featuring two fours and a six before he was caught at the long-off by CJ Jordan off BA Stokes when New Zealand’s total was 139 for the loss of six wickets.
BA Stokes of England was the most successful bowler of England. He grabbed three wickets at the cost of 26 runs.
Moeen Ali, DJ Willey, CJ Jordan and LE Plunkett took one wicket each for 10, 17, 24 and 38 runs respectively.
