Jos Buttler, Sam Curran fire as England ignite World Cup campaign
New Zealand suffer first defeat despite belligerent Glenn Phillips half-century
New Zealand suffer first defeat despite belligerent Glenn Phillips half-century
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Andrew Miller
9.49pm So, that's a wrap from the Gabba. England have done what they needed to do to stay in contention. And by the time they take on Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday, they'll know what they need to do to qualify for the semi-finals. Here's how the table stands for now. Australia have a chance to improve their NRR with a big win against Afghanistan, but England you sense have a priceless advantage in going last. From Miller, PDP and Chandan, good night!
Chamara Kahapal: "I think you got it wrong. No. of wins is the main factor here, rather than the NRR" Not if the number of wins is level, it isn't...
Kane Williamson: "Credit to the way England played, they played beautifully, put us under pressure from the get-go and were clinical. It was a slightly above-par total. We tried to take it deep, but credit to the way they bowled. It was a fair surface, we were in it in the second half but needed a few things to go our way. Tried to target certain areas of the ground and take it deep.
On dropping Buttler. "One of, if not the best player in the game. If you do that he'll make you pay, made the boundaries look small, which they certainly are not. I thought I squeezed the catch into my chest, a bit embarrassing. Phillips, batting beautifully on some difficult pitches. Long may that continue."
Jos Buttler is the Player of the Match. "We had a poor performance [against Ireland] but a lot of confidence in the group, we left it all out there tonight. A ruthless tournament, SA went out last year with four wins out of five. You expect to be under pressure. I think with our line-up, we bat deep, allows us to take it on an over earlier than you might. The wicket was tricky, but Hales played a great knock and took the pressure off.
"Hales played brilliantly, one of the form T20 players and he's got his chance again. Easy to critique performances but you need to back players in a high-risk game. We pushed beyond 160-165 so 180 was a good score. We've had success batting first against Australia, so being brave and take the positive option, knowing you need to take wickets."
9.28pm So, New Zealand's unbeaten run ends, and if the remaining matches go according to the form book, we are set for a three-way tie in Group 1, with NRR the deciding factor. All eyes on how Australia take on Afghanistan on Friday now... they need a big win to put the squeeze on these two teams...
It looked very dicey indeed for England when Glenn Phillips was dropping bombs in the middle overs, but on a sticky pitch, England's seamers were exceptional in the final quarter, with Mark Wood's third over setting the tone, and Curran and Woakes closing out magnificently. Jos Buttler's 73 was the clincher in the final analysis, along with a key fifty from Hales at the top of England's order.
David: "When Phillips hit those two sixes, the game looked gone for England. But whaddaya know? One 3 over mega gltich with Cricinfo bugging out, and the game has turned 180. Thank you, guys. " You're always welcome! Hopefully the gremlins have been vanquished now...
Santner also threw his support behind Williamson and credited England's attack for tying them down
In another closely fought contest, New Zealand were unable to replicate last year's stunning chase
The hosts will need to get their calculators out, while England hold the big advantage of playing last
New Zealand suffer first defeat despite belligerent Glenn Phillips half-century
Captain's best day in the role comes at perfect moment to revive semi-final ambitions
First Round Group A | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
SL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.667 |
NED | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.162 |
NAM | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.73 |
UAE | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1.235 |
First Round Group B | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
ZIM | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.2 |
IRE | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.105 |
SCOT | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.304 |
WI | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.563 |
Group 1 | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
NZ | 5 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2.113 |
ENG | 5 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0.473 |
AUS | 5 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -0.173 |
SL | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.422 |
IRE | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -1.615 |
AFG | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -0.571 |
Group 2 | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
IND | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 1.319 |
PAK | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1.028 |
SA | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0.874 |
NED | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.849 |
BAN | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1.176 |
ZIM | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -1.138 |