Having booked their place in the semi-finals before bowling a single ball thanks to Pakistan's earlier victory over South Africa, England could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas against New Zealand. But such is their confidence at the moment that even in the absence of Kevin Pietersen who flew home for the birth of his child after the last game, England were still able to outmanoeuvre a New Zealand side in need of a win if they were to progress further in the tournament.
England's performances in this years World Twenty20 are beginning to follow a pattern. With such an array of bowling options at Paul Collingwood's disposal, England's ability to stem the flow of runs has become unrivalled in the competition so far. This combined with a refreshingly liberal approach to the crucial Powerplay overs has seen England come into their own in the most unlikely of formats.
Tim Bresnan is a fine example of the balance to England's set-up at present. After a tight first spell of 1 for 20 in four consecutive overs restricting the Kiwis to 39 for 1 from the first six overs, it would later be Bresnan who would finish things off for his team with a brisk 23 from 11 balls.
Brendan McCullum, who survived Bresnan's impeccable line and length first up, tried to remain positive but England's spin duo of Graeme Swan and Michael Yardy had other ideas. They managed to frustrate the New Zealand opener with some well-disciplined spin bowling and it was not long before the pressure got to McCullum, stepping down the wicket to Swann lofting the ball into the clouds only to be caught by Michael Lumb on the boundary edge, departing for 33 from 32 balls.
Slumping to 68 for 3 from 11 overs and with their tournament hopes at stake, New Zealand needed a positive response and it came from Scott Styris and Ross Taylor who added 62 in 41 balls to give their side a fighting chance. As the innings drew to a close New Zealand looked to clear the ropes and consequently lost wickets. Styris caught at deep cover, and after only two legitimate deliveries Kiwi keeper Gareth Hopkins was clean bowled for 1. Taylor almost remained until the finale but skied a Ryan Sidebottom delivery to deep midwicket where Bresnan took a comfortable catch. His 44 however was the stand out innings as New Zealand posted 149 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Michael Lumb set the tone of the England innings blasting his team to 57 for 1 from the Powerplay overs
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
With Pietersen at home awaiting the birth of his baby boy it was up to England's new-look opening pair of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb to keep above the run-rate - no problem! Kieswetter belted a four and a six in the first over bowled by Nathan McCullum, but soon departed for 15. Whilst Lumb took advantage of Shane Bond's extra yard of pace smashing 19 of his first two overs, including a plethora of enterprising boundaries. Kieswetter and Lumb's efforts saw England power to 57 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay overs, 18 runs better than their opponents at the same stage.
In dire need of control, Daniel Vettori brought himself on in tandem with Styris, and the wily twosome pegged England back at least momentarily. Styris struck first dismissing Ravi Bopara and three balls later it was Vettori's turn, having been smashed for 11 off his first over by Lumb, the spectacled slow left-armer had his revenge drawing the batsman into a mistimed sweep shot with a flighted delivery that trapped him plumb in front for 32. Paul Collingwood completed New Zealand's fightback with a typical nurdle to a Styris cutter that was gobbled up by Brendan McCullum at midwicket.
However, despite Vettori and Styris's best efforts, once again Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright combined to put together a match-altering partnership. A stand of 52 from 38 balls between the youthful pair guided England to within sight of the finishing line on 117 for 4 with a full seven overs to come. The re-introduction of Bond proved too much for Wright, and soon enough Morgan was dismissed for 40 from 34 balls to diving Vettori at midwicket. But even the swift loss of Michael Yardy could not save the Kiwis, as Bresnan proved his credentials as an all-rounder hitting the winning runs and securing a three wicket victory.
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